The Enabler

I usually don't confront parents. I mean, I'm not a parent; I have no idea what that job is like. I also just think that parents and teachers should have a cooperative relationship. I can't change their mind. However.

This girl, Mariah. She is on my roll for 1st period. I have NEVER EVER seen her in my class. EVER. Her mother brings her to school every day at 9:10 (first period is over at 9:05). And about 3 times a week, Mariah's mother will wander over and say, "Ms. Vinson, Mariah was late yesterday because..." blahblahblah some b.s. reason. What makes it worse is, Mariah's mother stays at the school ALL DAY LONG. She is quoteunquote a parent volunteer....but she really just walks around and hangs out in the teacher's lounge (by herself, btw...we don't have time for that place.) If you can BRING you daughter to school EVERY DAY and STAY at the school EVERY DAY you can make more of an effort to show up before 9am.

Also, Mariah has never said one word to me. Not a single freaking word. Her mother will come ask for make-up work (twice in 5 weeks...) Her mother will come list off the 501 reasons why Mariah has to stroll in an hour and a half late.

So, today when Mariah's mother came by...to tell me why Mariah missed all of last week (she was "actually sick"), I told her that I was sorry, but no amount of excuses will keep Mariah from failing my class. She has to actually show up. I'm sorry it's too early, but it's what time they tell me to teach. If I have to go by it, so does everybody else. She can't do "make-up work" for EVERY SINGLE DAY OF SCHOOL.

Her mother just nodded and wandered away.

Then she sent another student to ask me if Mariah could get a permission slip for the field trip I'm taking on Thursday.

No, lady. NO.