As I logged onto my computer for another Zoom call, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. It wasn't the call itself that bothered me - I've been on countless video chats since the pandemic began. No, it was the fact that this time it was a parent-teacher conference.
In the days leading up to the call, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was back in high school, waiting for the principal to call my parents about some infraction or another. The only difference now was that I was the parent, and my children's academic futures hung in the balance.
As I waited for the teacher to join the call, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of person would choose to spend their days wrangling a group of elementary schoolers. But when the teacher finally appeared on the screen, all my fears melted away.
She was kind and patient, with a no-nonsense approach to education that I found refreshing. She spoke candidly about my children's strengths and weaknesses, and gave me concrete suggestions for how to help them succeed.
In the end, the Zoom call wasn't so bad after all. In fact, I felt grateful for the opportunity to connect with my children's teacher, even if it was through a computer screen. And as I logged off, I couldn't help but feel a renewed appreciation for the incredible work that teachers do every day.
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