Chalkboard
Posted on Wednesday, May 7, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/decatur/Opinion/2487/
Motherís Day is this coming Sunday, May 11, 2008. There is a fun site at www. mothersdaycelebration. com where I found this little tidbit of history about Motherís Day: ì Motherís Day is celebrated to honor all mothers and express gratitude for the hardships they bear in bringing up a child. Most countries, including the U. S., Australia, Canada and India celebrate Motherís Day on the second Sunday of May. Motherís Day came into being due to the efforts made by Ms. Julia Ward Howe and Ms. Anna Jarvis. The Resolution for having a dedicated ë Motherís Dayí was signed by U. S. President Woodrow Wilson on May 8, 1914. Since then people across the world have been celebrating Motherís Day with joy and devotion. î
In my own life, I am fortunate to have a wonderful mother. I am doubly blessed in that Regeniaís mother treats me like a son as well. If there is such a thing as a triple blessing, then I have it in Regenia being the mother of our sons.
My list could go on and on. There are other women in my childhood, teenage years, and adult life that have played or do play some mother role in my life. Many of those dear ladies are family; some are not. There are birth mothers and there are real mothers, and the two are not always the same.
A good mother is a priceless treasure. There is a bond of love between a mother and her offspring that only death can break. It is more than maternal instinct; it is a state of being. Good mothers are willing to sacrifice their own needs, desires and ambitions for the well being of their children. Some version of an old saying says it best: ì A father works from sun to sun, but a motherís work is never done ! î
What does this little treatise have to do with being in an article that purports itself to be educational in nature ? I offer the following answer ó in loco parentis. If you are a Chalkboard reader, you have seen me use the term on several occasions. It simply is a Latin term meaning ìin place of a parent. î I would maintain that many a female classroom teacher, especially at the lower grade levels, often has a daytime role of being mother to the students she teachers. However, it is not just an elementary attribute. At school, mother-types are found behind secretarial desks, in the lunch serving line, behind the wheel of a bus, standing before a chalkboard or pushing a mop. All are paid by the district to perform some educationrelated function, but money cannot buy the extra attention and care so many provide.
Many, if not most, of these days, mothers have a night mother role at their own home as well. It may be Pythagorean Theorem by day, but it may be laundry or grocery shopping or ball games or seeing that teeth are brushed before bed time by night.
Why is the concept of in loco parentis important ? In my mind it is important because teachers do not teach subject matter, teachers teach somebodyís children. And while ìtough loveî may be a necessary part of any motherís repertoire, it begs acceptance of the premise that love means seeking out the best for those you care about without regard to form.
I am thankful that my mother cares about me. I am thankful that Regeniaís mother does too, as well as all those others in my life who have been or still are a parting of ìmy raising. î
As your schoolís superintendent, I am thankful also that there are many good mothers working each day, caring for the students whose mothers have trusted them into our care.