Except not really. Crazy things dental hygienist said.
I have the strangest conversations when I'm immobilized on the dentist's chair.
Things were taking longer than normal since I missed my last cleaning, but I'm still cavity free for my entire life! While the hygienists hands were in my mouth, she took the opportunity to strike up conversation with me over education since she was aware that I was a teacher.
Lucky me.
"You have to send your kids to private school if you want them to get a good education in this city," she told me while still preventing any response due to the cleaning. Once I had a quick rinse, I was able to share a little truth. "The vast majority of students I would classify as prepared for high school are products of DISD." This was shocking to her. I went on to say that many parents feel that what she said is true without ever visiting a public middle school, looking at any data, or even visiting the private institution they are sending their kids to. Just because you are paying for something doesn't mean it is better or a good investment. While many parents may pay for a certain environment,
if they actually talked to a teacher, maybe they would have a different opinion. I have taught several kids from private middle schools that haven't quite mastered reading at the level kids should have by the time they enter high school. Not all campuses are the same. Teachers, parents, circumstances, accountability, all of these things have an impact which means that no two school are alike. She at least left our brief chat curious. I don't think she'll move her kids, but at least she has more real information than she did that morning.
Again, a weird conversation to have while someone is putting their hands in and out of your mouth, but sometimes you have to set the record straight.
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Things were taking longer than normal since I missed my last cleaning, but I'm still cavity free for my entire life! While the hygienists hands were in my mouth, she took the opportunity to strike up conversation with me over education since she was aware that I was a teacher.
Lucky me.
"You have to send your kids to private school if you want them to get a good education in this city," she told me while still preventing any response due to the cleaning. Once I had a quick rinse, I was able to share a little truth. "The vast majority of students I would classify as prepared for high school are products of DISD." This was shocking to her. I went on to say that many parents feel that what she said is true without ever visiting a public middle school, looking at any data, or even visiting the private institution they are sending their kids to. Just because you are paying for something doesn't mean it is better or a good investment. While many parents may pay for a certain environment,
if they actually talked to a teacher, maybe they would have a different opinion. I have taught several kids from private middle schools that haven't quite mastered reading at the level kids should have by the time they enter high school. Not all campuses are the same. Teachers, parents, circumstances, accountability, all of these things have an impact which means that no two school are alike. She at least left our brief chat curious. I don't think she'll move her kids, but at least she has more real information than she did that morning.
Again, a weird conversation to have while someone is putting their hands in and out of your mouth, but sometimes you have to set the record straight.
Follow us on Facebook; Twitter; iTunes; Soundcloud; Stitcher
Related Articles:
Fun Times in Middle School Theater w/ Carlee
Reflections from a Dallas ISD Middle School Teacher
First week back for 2017 - A Dallas Teacher Reflection
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