These past few weeks taught me a few hard lessons. I realized that not only should a parent choose a school for the wrong reasons, a parent should also NOT dismiss a school for the wrong reasons. This was the conversation I had with a friend of mine:
Mommy Friend: Tina, where can I send my son next school year?
Teacher Tina: Why not bring him to XYZ School (obviously fictitious)?
Mommy Friend: Oh, I don’t like it there..
Teacher Tina: Why?
Mommy Friend: I spoke to another friend and she doesn’t like it there.
Teacher Tina: Why not?
Mommy Friend: She spoke to another friend who didn’t like it….
Whoa! Wait wait wait. Let me stop the conversation at this point because the poor school is being misjudged by hearsay. In the 9 years that I’ve been a school administrator, only a few years back did I realize that I can’t please every parent. It’s just not possible. Schools may do their best in everything and still won’t be able to please everybody. But 1 thing I can say is that we can please MOST of the parents. So, hypothetically, what if my friend’s friend’s friend 
spoke to that 1 irate parent of XYZ School? The school suddenly gets tainted with a bad reputation.
Studies show that a person would tell a good experience to less people than if the person experienced something bad. It’s human nature (to gripe, unfortunately).
Also, if you’re an unsatisfied parent, I suggest you inform the school of your issues. Most school administrators are very open to constructive criticism and if our goal is to improve not only the school but the education system, then your insight is crucial. When a parent posts a comment on this site about issues regarding their schools, I usually ask what their issues are. All of your issues are important and most of them are still “savable” — meaning, if told in the proper forum, may improve your child’s school life and improve the school as well. If you discuss issues only among yourselves, parents, then that’s not going to help.. it’s just simply, gossip.
So to continue with the conversation..
Teacher Tina: Why don’t you visit it first? I know the director and I know they have a genuine progressive curriculum.
Mommy Friend: You might be right. I’ll try passing by tomorrow.
The End.
12 responses so far ↓
Tanya // March 6, 2009 at 7:31 am |
Hi teach:)
I was nodding while reading your post:) Reminded me of my interview with you.
This is a clear indication of how progressive schools, such as Nest, utilize strategies to partner with parents. Primarily, it is by communicating with them.
I think we, educators, have a big role in reaching out to parents, in educating them about what they need to look for when scouting for schools. Both teachers and administrators should develop good communication skills in order that our messages would come across the parents- and that means, exhausting all our resources to inform, to educate, and to collaborate with them.
Thanks for the opportunity to include Nest in my thesis. It was a learning experience.
May God bless your school.
Jojo Fuliga Jr. // April 14, 2009 at 7:49 am |
Do you have a list of schools in the Pasig and Mandaluyong areas that are progressive schools? My kids are incoming grades 1 and 3 and come from a traditional school. I am looking at moving them to a progressive school this coming school year.
Thank you in advance for your help.
teachertinazamora // April 15, 2009 at 11:49 am |
Hi Jojo! Thanks for stopping by. In the Pasig and Mandaluyong area, I can recommend Britesparks along Libis and Explorations in Mandaluyong. I hope you read the rest of the posts in this blog so you can be guided in your school hunt
Elaine // May 14, 2009 at 8:23 am
Teacher Tina,
Do you have a list of progressive schools in the Las Pinas area? My son is entering nursery and I want to enroll him in a progressive school.
Jenny // May 28, 2009 at 6:05 am
Hi Teacher Tina!
How about in Manila/Malate area? There seems to be no progressive school here. I visited one – Eton Int’l School – but got turned off by the receptionist. I was inquiring about the teachers and she just kept saying.. “Hardvard-educated”. And when I asked who the directress was, she told me.. “yun dumaan na mataba” WHAAAT?!! Plus, they charge 150K for toddlers!! I wonder if the directress knows that she is being called “mataba”..
Hopefully, more good progressive schools will open in the Manila/Malate area
Jojo Fuliga Jr. // April 16, 2009 at 3:28 am |
Thank you for the help and I will continue to read thru this blog.
Great work!
Tara // May 25, 2009 at 12:48 am |
Hi Teacher Tina,
We have decided to enroll our 3-year-old daughter in a progressive school this coming school year. I know that we made the right decision in (i) choosing a progressive and student-centered approach to learning; (ii) investing in education especially early childhood education (progressive schools are more expensive than traditional ones); and (iii) deciding that our daughter is at the right age to be in school (we can see her school readiness). It’s just that other moms can really be “insensitive” and judgemental when they say that (i) putting a 3-year-old child in school is too early; (ii) it’s not worth it to invest in nursery schools with high tuition fee because they will only play in school so a traditional school or daycare center will suffice. Even old-school folks think this way. It’s just hurtful to think that they also judge parents like us who took the time and effort to learn the best method of learning for their kids. I just keep quiet during these discussions, beacuse I do not want to appear as a “know-it-all”, although sometimes I am really tempted to speak up and share with them the ideals of progressivism.
teachertinazamora // May 25, 2009 at 3:43 pm |
Hi Tara! Let those people read this blog and all other links I suggested here so we can educate them about the wonderful world of progressive education. I believe that ignorance brings about this negativism. I admire your willpower!
grace // June 19, 2009 at 4:20 pm |
hello, i’m a mom of two girls ages 7 and 9 and just happened to visit this site, i’ve been looking for a progressive school for the past 2 days. my kids are currently enrolled in an international school for the past 4 years and i think it’s about time i find them a new school for the school year 2010-2011.
I am not happy anymore with the system of the school. the school administration is so unorganized and the turnover of teachers is so unbelievable! every 2 or 3 months my kids get new teachers, they leave for some reason. (i heard bec of the salary, curriculum, etc) i guess that would be a cause for concern.
if you have any suggestions of schools i could visit please let me know. i really appreciate the help:)
many thanks
Grace
GELA // June 28, 2009 at 12:32 pm |
hi teacher! your blogs are suppper useful for my thesis proposal! can i append them for my thesis? thank you! =)
teachertinazamora // June 28, 2009 at 1:44 pm |
HI Gela! Thanks for visiting. Go ahead and append! It’s my pleasure.. Good luck on your thesis!
teachertinazamora // May 28, 2009 at 2:27 pm |
Hi Jenny! Btw, great blog
What you experienced in Eton was unfortunate indeed! I am not familiar with any progressive school in Manila but I noticed that in your blog, you have the link of Mom Exchange. They have a new segment called School Review. You can check out the schools in your city and use the info in this blog to ask them the important questions. I also have the same wish that more progressive schools will open in Manila. Visit often!