Duke Life

"My Parent Works in the School"

Some teachers love their students like their own children. For some teachers this is easy: their students are their own children.

Students with parents who work at their high school are in a unique and exciting position, because school is usually an escape from home. Few know what it’s like to have their homes follow them.

Several GHS students attend school alongside their parents, including Freshman Farrah Falkenberg (daughter of Spanish teacher Ms. Hillary Falkenberg). Farrah has not been in her mother’s class, despite having the opportunity. Instead, she changed her schedule and was assigned a different teacher. At first, Ms. Falkenberg was upset, but she understood why. “It would have been fun,” Ms. Falkenberg admits, “She could see another side of me.. Teaching vs. being a mom.” Ms. Falkenberg is excited about the possibility of having her daughter in class for Spanish 2.

In school, Farrah calls her mother “mom”, rather than “Ms. Falkenberg.” Ms. Falkenberg has stated that if her child were in her class, she would attempt to treat her the same as all of the other students. “I want her to feel like she’s equal,” she states.

Ms. Falkenberg feels that Farrah acts quite differently at school rather than at home, “a little bit more like a teenager.” Normally, they don’t interact at school other than in the mornings, when Ms. Falkenberg either drops her daughter off or studies with her before school starts.

For her part, Farrah enjoys having her mother at school with her, mostly because she can catch a ride in the morning. It is also convenient that she can drop by her mom’s classroom if she ever forgets or needs something. “It’s alright,” Farah admits, “having a teacher as a mom.”

Farrah said that she doesn’t often see her mom during the day, and doesn’t find the situation awkward at all. Most is not all of her friends know that Ms. Falkenberg is her mother, and her friends generally like her as well. According to Farrah, she has not heard many if none at all say anything negative about her mother’s teaching: “Sometimes people tell me that she’s a hard teacher, but that’s pretty much it.”

Farrah generally feels that there is not much to having a teacher parent, but what is there is definitely on the good side.

Not all children of GHS teachers are students. Some GHS faculty members work with their parents as a colleague. Mr. Barry Childress is an automotive technology and welding teacher, who is the proud father of Mr. Ramey Childress, who also teaches here at the school. Mr. Childress sees his son at school often, in the mornings and sometimes at lunch. Mr. Childress also sees him at Short Lane, which he owns.

The Senior Mr. Childress enjoys having his son at the school, seeing his career progress, and seeing him grow up. “It’s interesting,” he states, “I’ve been teaching 15 years, so watching him teach his first year... he’s had some low points, and high points, and just trying to give him some advice on how to deal with each day, [and] dealing with young people.”

Mr. Childress stated that he is very close with his son, and even if they didn’t have this job, they would maintain their relationship. “Regardless of the job,” he says, “I would still spend a lot of time with him.”

Mr. Childress cherishes the ability to see his son every day as he does, and is thankful for the rare opportunity most parents are not given. “I think it’s awesome,” he states.

Mr. Ramey Childress also enjoys having his father at school. “I guess, in this time of your life, you don't get to see your parents that much,” he considers, “but I get to see my dad every day. That’s pretty cool. I enjoy that.”

He stated that it is a unique situation, as not everyone understands, and he tries to relish in it as much as he can: “If I didn’t have this job, I wouldn’t be able to see my dad as often...This is a nice reason to go hang out with him. I enjoy it.”

The younger Mr. Childress stated that it was not awkward having a relative in the building. The only odd part is how he receives nicknames, whereas his father is simply “Mr. Childress.” He recalls being called “Lil’ C,” “Lil’ KC,” among others. It does not bother him, though, as he knows where they’re coming from.

All in all, both Childresses appreciates the unique situation of working together.

Ms. Ramos is a Spanish one and two teacher, and the mother of several children. However, only one is in the high school currently: Sophomore Lucy Ramos. When asked about having her child in her class, Ms. Ramos stated that she would rather not due to her daughter being “slightly sassy”, but mostly because she would not want to risk favoring or being more negative to her over other students. “You have to be fair to all students,” Ms. Ramos explained.

Ms.Ramos normally drives her daughter to school, except for the days where she has to be at work early. However, Lucy rides the bus home while her mother finishes things in the classroom. The two never text in school unless it’s after the end of the day bell, and even then it is only about transportation. Furthermore, Lucy calls Ms.Ramos “Mom”, not “Ms. Ramos”.

Many, if not all, students act differently at school than at home. Ms. Ramos understand this, and expects her daughter to act differently at school. “It’s expected,” Ms. Ramos admits.

Though there are perks, the potential for awkwardness is always present when you’re child is taught by a coworker. What if the two don’t get along? Ms. Ramos does not let her daughter talk about other teachers. “I try to discourage her [from talking about my coworkers],” Ms. Ramos explains, “I only listen if it’s a persistent issue.”

Lucy also sometimes deals with friends and peers griping about her mother’s class, often without knowing Lucy isher daughter. “A couple people have said mean things about her,” Lucy remembers, “then I tell them it's my mom, and then they freeze and go…” She then covers her mouth with her hand and makes a shocked expression. Lucy says she can't judge because she doesn't know how her mother teaches, and most complaints are just run-of-the-mill whining.

Most of the time people have kind, positive things to say about her mom and her class, anyway.

All in all, Ms. Ramos and Lucy are just two people making it work together in school, parent and child, teacher and student.

Mrs Lanier is an 11-12 grade English teacher, and has a positive outlook on having her child at the same school. She is, however, very happy that he isn't involved in her classroom and wouldn't change it. “I would be so much meaner to him if he was in my class,” Ms. Lanier concedes, “so yeah, he's probably glad, too”

Ms. Lanier says that she is ok with her son, Owen, talking about other co workers, even if it involves him ranting about them: “You know, I try to let him express his frustrations and opinions, he's a separate person than me. I try to get him to understand...I think teachers’ kids probably understand where teachers come from more than other students. They see the other side of teachers.”

Owen doesn't see any awkwardness in he and his mom’s situation. "It’s not really different,” he states, “it’s just having someone with the same last name.” Many of his friends even have her as a teacher, and all say that she is “amazing.” Owen has never heard anyone badmouth his mom, as she is generally known as an exceptional teacher.

Many students can’t imagine what it’s like having family in the building. Some believe it would be awkward, while others think it would blur the line between home-life and school-life too completely. However, most students who are actually in the situation don’t mind, and many actually enjoy it. Most kids who have parents at GHS relish the experience, or see at as nothing different than anyone else’s.