Uninspiring introduction to year one

[Randomsunshineovermull]

Just come back from a meet the teachers evening, my DD has just started year one, they gave a 20 minute talk on curriculum, homework, how to best support your child etc. I remember last years talk in reception and feeling the teachers enthusiasm and agreeing with their philosophy. I’ve an older child so I knew spelling tests, phonics screening etc would be talked about but they kept talking about how they are going to train the children, train them to do this, train them to that, I’m so tempted to email the head and point out you train a dog not a child, where’s the inspire, motivate, encourage?
There was a talk then by the senior leadership team and that was far more positive, so it’s not a whole school culture. But what a depressing start to the year!

Are you joking about sending the email? If not, please don’t! It’s not a big deal, it’s just a poor choice of language and to be honest as a parent it’s not really a teachers job to inspire YOU - as a teacher id find it really odd if you emailed me complaining that my speech hadn’t inspired you.

Isn’t it? If they can’t inspire parents can they inspire children in their class?

What were they referring to when they talked about "training" children? Academic learning or things like sitting, listening, smoother transitions, becoming better at changing after PE?

But the meeting wasn't held to inspire you. It was to provide information. Some parents wouldn't have older children, so this is the first opportunity they've had to hear about spellings strategies, reading books, behaviour expectations etc.

Teachers are experts in inspiring children. I'm afraid it's not about you,

It sounds like a short meeting outlining the aims of year one..it's not the Gettysburg address. You are being ridiculous.

Sorry you are being ridiculous.

Talking to a group of parents is nerve-wracking and nothing like teaching a group of 5 year olds. The teacher was probably uncomfortable and less eloquent than the reception teacher. That doesn't mean the teaching will be bad. Your child is at the same school with the same ethos as before. The reality is the quality and type of teaching they received won't always be the same even in the best schools. It's madness to complain when a person has just done their job.

YABU

Please do send that email and then let us know the response!

Seriously, they're teaching your child, not you. The way they talk to parents will be completely different from how they talk to and interact with the children. They don't need to inspire you, they're just giving you all the info they think you'll need. Also, they are in a way training the children because y1 is not the same as the foundation stage. They will spend much more time working at their desks or sitting on the carpet listening to the teacher and it does take some children a bit of time to get used to this change.

So get over yourself.
Teachers put an enormous amount of effort into inspiring children everyday, and funnily enough they are TRAINED to do this, as in have had training. So using the word trained is not derogatory it’s a simple fact that children need to repeat behaviours in school to help them learn both socially and academically.

you train a dog not a child you do train people though. 17 years ago I trained to be a teacher. My cousin is a trained beautician. My sibling is a trained soldier.

This is one definition of "train" from the Collins dictionary:
1. verb
If someone trains you to do something, they teach you the skills that you need in order to do it. If you train to do something, you learn the skills that you need in order to do it.

If they can’t inspire parents can they inspire children in their class?

Yeah, say that to them. They'll need a good laugh at the start of term.

Have you considered setting up as a teacher trainer and sharing your expertise? Have you considered homeschooling?

In my experience, the sort of people who use the words ‘inspire’ and ‘motivate’ the most are also those least able to inspire and motivate.

They tend to be great at giving gushing speeches and pep talks about teamwork and reaching goals, but far less great at the concrete actions required to achieve those goals...

Let’s be honest - ‘inspire’ and ‘motivate’ are meaningless buzzwords. I distrust anyone who overuses them.

My child needs training

YABU

It’s not about inspiring you. Their job is to teach your child.

Get a grip and let them get on with their job. If you want to be taken seriously, save your complaints for something they’ve actually done wrong that actually affects your child

Maybe you could home school and inspire your self and your child?

Sounds like my DS’s Y1 teacher. Then he got her again for Y2.
He was miserable. I didn’t send emails. Should have done.

I get what OP means, you can talk about the process of [training] teaching your child but you want it layered with passion and enthusiasm

Wow.

Jesus fucking wept. You, OP, are one of the reasons good teachers are walking away without a backward glance. In their thousands.

Is this private or state?

Please don't be "that parent"

This is fabulous! Carry one

Jesus fucking wept. You, OP, are one of the reasons good teachers are walking away without a backward glance. In their thousands.

This.

Standing and speaking in front of a hall full of critical parents can be absolutely terrifying-I hate doing things like that. Give me a class of 30 five year olds, any day and I’m in my element!

It’s great to know though, that because I’m nervous and hate doing things like this, that you think I’m a crap teacher.

Am I your child’s teacher, I wonder...?

Yabvu.
Teachers often find talking to parents daunting because they no people like you are judging them. It’s an informative evening. They don’t need to inspire you one bit.

*Know