Mike Parker: ‘Bee’ smart as the new school year begins

As the new school year opens, I have already heard some accounts of disrespectful and even violent behavior toward teachers and staff in some schools. For the life of me, I cannot understand why students are allowed to spit on staff or curse staff with little to no consequences. That schools and parents tolerate such behavior does not reflect well on student conduct in our schools.

I always wanted my students to learn to work hard enough to excel at their studies. For the past several years, I have shared tips for succeeding in school that I learned from 37-plus years as a classroom teacher. I call them my “Bees” of success.

            First: BEE THERE.

No student with a spotty attendance record will perform well. Learning builds. Think of education as building a brick wall. Missing a day of school means you miss bricks, and those missing bricks become unsightly “holes” in your learning. The first service parents can do to ensure their children get a solid education is to get the children to school every day. Students need more than to be physically in school. They need to be in school mentally.

            Second: BEE ON TIME.

The rule in my classroom was “BIC” when the tardy bell rings. “BIC” stands for “butt in chair.” Good teachers want to start quickly and use what precious little time they have to teach. Waiting for students to mill around before taking a seat reduces instructional time.

            Third: BEE PREPARED.

            Being prepared means having supplies and materials ready. Coming to class without a pencil, paper, textbook, or laptop means you did not bring the tools you need to do the job. Would you trust a plumber to fix your leaking faucet if he asked you for a wrench or screwdriver? Show up on the job with what you need to be a good learner.

            Part of being prepared is doing your homework. Teachers assume you will complete your assignments when they plan the next day’s activities. Homework lets you practice skills and prepares you for the next lesson.

            Fourth: BEE RESPECTFUL.

You need to respect yourself, your classmates, your parents, and your teachers. Students often become angry when they think a teacher has disrespected them. I cannot tell you the times I have heard students say, “You’ve got to give respect to get respect.” Of course, most of the time students say these words right after they have been disrespectful to their teacher or peers.

Teachers should model respectful behavior. So should parents. Most students will have a hard time respecting a teacher that Mom or Dad trashes.

One more thought on respect: Teachers show respect for students when they refuse to let students get by with shoddy work. Giving constructive criticism and encouraging students to work harder are ways teachers show respect for students and their abilities.

Fifth: BEE COOPERATIVE.

Believe it or not – teachers want students to succeed. I never had a student enter my class and think, “Man, I want that kid to fail.” Teachers want you to learn. Teachers know the ordeal you are going to face at testing time. Even more, they know the ordeals you will face when you leave school and enter the world of work. They have a plan in place to get you ready.

Some students act like balky mules. Their lack of cooperation usually stems from one of two things. First, adolescent arrogance makes young people think they already know what they will need in the future. They do not.

A second cause for withholding cooperation is fear. Some students believe even if they try, they will fail – so why try? Teachers are equipped to help you succeed. They want you to succeed. In today’s test-crazy educational setting, student success reflects on teachers. Do you think teachers want their students to look unprepared and untaught? Bee cooperative.

            Sixth: BEE RESPONSIBLE.

            Students: You are in charge of your education. You decide how much effort you will give and how much attention you will pay. Getting an education is a student’s job. Part of that job is accepting the responsibilities that come with it.

            Seventh: BEE KIND.

            The world is often cruel and hurtful. I wanted my classroom to be a haven – a place where students could come to learn without fear of taunts, bullying, and ridicule. Nowhere is the Golden Rule more appropriate than the classroom: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

            Eighth: BEE HONEST.

            Begin by being honest with yourself. If you fool yourself, you are a fool indeed.

Be honest with your teachers.

Be honest with your parents. Stop blaming your teacher for “giving” you a failing grade. I never “gave” grades. When grading entered the picture, I was an accountant who punched numbers into a grade book program. A student unhappy with the numbers needed to work harder and prepare better.

If you put these “BEES” into practice, you will have a great school year.

If you ignore these “BEES,” you are sure to get stung.

Mike Parker, a retired teacher, is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.