Parents, What Kind of Student are you Raising
A New School Year – A New Focus for Success
William Jackson, M. Ed. Edward Waters College
@wmjackson

The new school year has arrived, parents are concerned
about the outward appearance of their children; rightly
so, children represent their respective families and
generational lineage (family history). No parent wants
their children to look scruffy especially the first several
weeks of school. The concerns of parents in their
dressing of their child or children is a representation
of the physical appearance that creates the initial
impressions that are temporary and quickly fleeting
during the school year.

The question:
Parents, What Kind of Student are you Raising??
thought provoking and  a serious discussion that
inquires parents preparing their children academically
for success in school. Parents have you encouraged
academic excellence using positive words and
positive expectations?
Parents have you purchased educational materials;
educational DVD’s, obtained library cards and
museum memberships? Learning occurs outside of
the school too and must be cultivated by parents
before school starts and during the academic year.

Parents are you talking too, not yelling at children about
your expectations for proper behavior and scholarly
participation (being a good student)? Parents need to
show that books are the gateways to new worlds and
new discoveries not just sports or entertainment.
Chinua Achebe, Nigerian author states,
“Children should be fascinated by books and encouraged
to read every day.” Ironically children of color and culture
are behind others and should not be, free educational
resources are available in communities.

During over 20 years as an educator I have heard
parents verbally threaten, demean, dress down,
embarrass and curse out their children as the new
school year approached. Parent’s excuses or reasons;
children need to know that they (parents) mean business.
Comments such as these shape and mold a child’s
mind. It potentially creates a personality that the
perception is they deserve to be beat, they deserve to
be yelled at and cursed at. These actions may reinforce
in a child’s mind that violence should be accepted and
maybe even welcomed in order to be a good student.
Children should be taught with love and patience that,
“there is value in books and libraries,” and love is
stronger than violence.
(African Voices 2009 – C.Achebe) so they can look
forward happily to reading and learning.

As a parent and educator, I urge parents to think about
and seriously consider two statements by two well-known
men. Both were parents and known for their wisdom in
their respective lives. Albert Einstein (1879-19550) stated,
”Way of thinking should be taught to all children, to be
tenacious in the way they think, to solve problems even
though they may take years.”
Einstein 2007, this is related to the patience of learning,
to the expectations of hard work and dedication to research.
It is important for parents to teach this to their children
through love, role modeling and patience.

Malcolm X (1925-1965) stated, “Education is the passport
to the future. Tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for
it today.” Malcolm X promoted learning, he is known to
have read ferociously and regularly sharing his
knowledge and love of learning with his children, and
when applying it to why knowledge is important.
Malcolm X rationality can be applied to all cultures and colors.

Parents must train up their children the way they should
properly go, valuing education and doing good works in
their community.
Parents should ask themselves who would they want their
child to follow; who would they want their children to be
like, who should be their role models beyond athletes
and entertainers.
Parents need to be the first model for educational value,
parents think about the kind of child or children you are
raising and what are your expectations for them?
Do you want your children to be better than you in life:
do you want them to be better financially, educationally,
and socially? Education is the key.

Join PTA and School Advisory Council, attend school
board meetings and other events during the year so
you will understand why schools are run the way they
are. If your child is not struggling be a voice for those
that are, be a child advocate because all children will
eventually grow into adults and still affect the
climate of their and potentially  your community.

How your community, your city, and your state is
managed and run is based on the education of all
citizens. Your participation may mean the difference
between and educated and employed society that
equally contributes to the tax base or an under
educated, or uneducated  society that struggles to
provide resources and services that build and make
a city and community stronger.

Encourage reading, comprehension, literacy and life
long learning.