“Educators value the involvement and support of parents, guardians, families and communities in schools.”

This is quite a hot button issue with the “parents’ rights” debate. The standard immediately evokes images of anti-SOGI protests, angry dads barging into schools, claims of “woke” being levelled against teacher unions, and various conspiracy theories making the rounds of talk radio. Everything seems to be political these days, but even by that standard it seems that teachers, parents and SOGI issues are center stage.

While these are the most visible issues they are obviously not indicative of the entirety of teacher relations with parents, guardians, families and communities. Even for parents who are socially conservative this is not a complete picture, and it would not be fair to preemptively decide that all of their concerns are born out of transphobia. It might be fair to assume that all of their concerns are born out of a concern for their children, and on that point I believe we can all find some common ground. On a positive note, it has been my experience that everyone in the education program does in fact view parents as a highly invested party in the education process and a crucial source of support and insight into the experience of the student.

On the note of “guardians” and “family,” it is also important (and, I think, commonly practiced,) to equally value people who fill the role traditionally reserved for parents. I say tradition but really that is a recent Western idea of the nuclear family, not particularly reflected in Indigenous culture, other cultures from around the world, or even in many Western families. Part of valuing these care givers is allowing them to be celebrated by the students, which means making space for them in things like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. It means representing them in literature and art, it means representing them in history and culture, and it means making an effort to talk to them as stakeholders in the student’s life.

I would also note here how important this all is to the goals of Truth and Reconciliation. If we don’t involve Indigenous communities in the education system and learning process then there will be very sharp limits to what we can accomplish towards the goals of the TRC and the goal of our students getting their best possible education.

When you say “valuing family” there is only one little guy my mind goes to: my son! It wasn’t hard to find a cute photo of him, he’s adorable.

I do not have it in me to judge a parent anymore (except in the case of abuse I suppose.) It is the most arduous job I have ever taken on. Single parents deserve a Victoria Cross or equivalent for heroism. No matter how we feel about parents and guardians, no matter what our relationship, it has to be recognized just how much work goes into raising a child. When I bemoan teens living on their cell phones and regret the choice to give them phones in the first place, I recognize how insistent they can be on having one. I recognize the desire to not deny one’s child what they want and that their friends have. I truly cannot judge anymore.

Similarly, I realize not all children have a positive home life or parents/care givers who get involved in their education. Any time you get any engagement from a parent or care giver it is in spite of the business of life, in spite of the emotion and expectations around grades, and represents a great commitment and effort on their part. It should always be valued and encouraged accordingly.