For those of us who grew up with a parent in education, the learning never really stopped. We were trained to adhere to rules, sit up straight, and avoid any behaviors that would cause trouble for teachers. Our assignments were always top-notch, as we had insider knowledge on the tricks to impress educators. My dad would often stay up late to ensure my science project had the kind of unique flair that even the child of a marketing executive wouldn’t think of. While some might label this as overparenting, I prefer to call it the experience of being raised by a teacher.
Here are 20 things you’ll recognize if you were brought up by an educator:
- Mediocre work is simply not an option. When tasked with “Write a journal entry from the Civil War,” I showed up with my entry crafted on handmade, antique-style paper. Didn’t everyone spend their evenings transforming routine homework into elaborate art projects? (For tips on antiquing paper: soak coarse paper with a wet tea bag, bake it, and singe the edges for the perfect touch.)
- You’ll find out you’ve won contests you didn’t even know existed. Teachers often didn’t specify which assignments could be submitted for competitions, but I suspect my dad had a knack for knowing which ones would shine, as some assignments received extra attention. “Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Contest” winner? Check. “Martin Luther King Jr. Art Contest” victor? Check. Contests I hadn’t even heard of? Check.
- Lunchtime is set at 10:45 a.m., even on weekends. I won’t even mention what time breakfast was served.
- Letters, numbers, and colors are for toddlers. That’s right. You better master those basics by age 2, so you can dive into kindergarten material before even stepping into preschool.
- You’re well-acquainted with “the look.” Educators master the art of the disappointed glare because they lack the time or energy to yell every time a student misbehaves. My mom employed the same look at home, which meant, “You’re being annoying, ridiculous, or irresponsible. Stop right now.”
- You know the consequences when your parent adopts their “teacher voice.”
- Acting out in class is simply not an option, given that your parent is friends with all your teachers. No notes sent home; instead, your parent gets a full report in the hallway right after class wraps up.
- Setting up classrooms is a legitimate skill to add to your resume. Instead of hiring a babysitter at the end of summer, my dad would take me along to help prepare his classroom. In his kindergarten class, I helped arrange seating, decorate the door, and organize the class library.
- Skipping school is out of the question. That would be the ultimate parental embarrassment.
- Teacher gossip is as riveting as an episode of The Real Housewives. It often made for entertaining dinner conversation until it veered into the realm of creepy and hit the evening news.
- Preparing lunch the night before is non-negotiable.
- Your garage is crammed full of school supplies.
- Grading is of utmost importance.
- The school day doesn’t end when the kids leave.
- Never comment on teachers having summers off unless you want to unleash the beast.
- Homework is not optional, as your parent is still tackling their own assignments.
- Your parent skips parent-teacher conferences altogether.
- While playing doctor or house is acceptable, playing school might send your parent straight to a mental health facility.
- By the end of the day, your parent is thoroughly exhausted from being around kids. No matter how much they adore you, you aren’t exempt.
- When someone asks what you want to be when you grow up, do NOT say “teacher.” My dad always felt overwhelmed by students, parents, administration, extra workload, long hours, and meager pay. He taught us that if we were going to be stressed and undervalued, we should at least pursue a career that compensates us better.
Reflecting on the recent discussions surrounding our new education secretary, I can’t help but think about my lengthy school journey—22 years, to be exact. I never once considered a teaching career; the thought of watching over kids all day is daunting! But the camaraderie in the cafeteria, late nights writing reports, and sneaking notes during lectures? That felt like home. I hope my child finds comfort in school as well. I want him to feel excited about learning new things. And if he struggles, I’ve already enlisted my dad as a boot-camp-style substitute teacher.
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In summary, being raised by a teacher comes with its own unique set of experiences, from the high expectations for homework to the constant learning environment. It shapes our understanding of education and the value of hard work, leaving an indelible mark that influences how we approach our own lives and parenting.