Look at Teaching

I applaud Terri Hamlin (Aug. 30) for the courage to describe her third-graders with stark realism. I respect her experience and the changes she has faced in her 18 years of teaching. My question: How beneficial is it to the children, for their teacher to place so much blame on their parents?

Let’s look at the big picture: Times have changed. An enlightened, egalitarian form of family life is evolving. Parents face challenges, too. How do they . . . develop careers and be active, informed parents? . . . protect their children from unprecedented media invasion? . . . cope with feeling isolated and unguided in a society that moves swiftly and relentlessly?

Ms. Hamlin reports a rise in child abuse cases. One blessing of our changing times is a climate that favors the report of child abuse, as well as an increased number of adult survivors who seek professional help to prevent the perpetuation of multi-generational patterns of abuse.

Parents need the same things teachers do: support, not condemnation. Children need the collaborative efforts of their parents and their teachers. In the big picture, parents and teachers are allies, not adversaries. Let’s refocus on mutual respect and appreciation.

Regarding Lorian Elbert’s point of view (also Aug. 30): Of what possible use is it to blame the children? Perhaps Ms. Elbert should locate her Mr. Lewin, and have a good, long talk with him. Meanwhile, if she finds a new career in which she does not need to deal with difficult co-workers, and she does not need to find creative ways to get indifferent people to listen to her, please print that story.

LUCY JO PALLADINO, Clinical Psychologist, Encinitas