Went to Meet the Teacher night last night at my son’s middle school. I have many jobs but my #1 (and favorite) profession is being a dad. I didn’t mind the traffic. I didn’t mind the crowds. In fact, I was thankful for them. Having a full parking lot on Meet the Teacher night is a sign of a successful school. Parents that care means that students care. And teachers. And administrators. And… you get my point.
I don’t remember middle school being so darn hard, though. He has eight classes split over two days. Each class meets for 1 1/2 hours. He’s taking Geometry, Advanced English, Spanish, Band, Math Counts (math team), History, STEM and Advanced Science. I had to pop an aspirin after the night was over. The kid has a lot on his plate. And he manages to juggle the load.
I’m proud of him. I’m proud of all my kids — but this one has some traits I wish I had. That’s what ever parent secretly wants — for his or her child to be better than him. And in many ways, he is. He is focused and driven. I wish I was half as focused as he is.
It was fun seeing all the parents that I’ve known for nearly a decade now. Our hair is getting grayer and our kids bigger. But we all smile and pitch in when the school needs us. In a way, Meet the Teacher night is a mini-reunion. It’s a time when the community gathers to celebrate what’s important to it: Their children.
I walked out the building and headed home. I got home just in time to help my son study. And I was very proud to do so — because my job is never done.