originally published by Great Black Speaker’s Bureau, May 13, 2014

To inform those who may not have seen the 2 School 4 Cool (Teacher’s Guide) blog, the 2 School 4 Cool initiative is a play on words to the common phrase “Too Cool for School.” It is a statement that exemplifies the idea that what is needed in our society is a complete reversal in popular thought and the priority of education. Due to the effects of the popular culture, prior experiences of past generations, and a seemingly natural development of millennial apathy, education seems to have become the enemy.

If you have ever read any of my earlier blogs, you would have already found out that not only do I serve as a middle school teacher, but I also double as a parent of a middle and elementary school child. It has been an interesting journey being able to see from two different lenses. As I have declared the 2 School 4 Cool initiative, it is important for parents to understand that they play the bigger role. Most people, especially impressionable young people, are quick to side with familiar desires, values, or attributes as opposed to unfamiliar ones. In educational terms, if the parent does not go along with the program, there is no chance to connect with the child. As it relates to the current discussion about Georgia’s State School Report Card, we must remember that the reflection of school and community is transactional. It does not only take a look at what comes out of it, but also what is put into it. So, it is most important that parents get with the idea of making intelligence the popular culture because the home is the gateway of popular culture; it is the exposure site.

An issue that teachers wrestle with when it comes to scores being a reflection of their professional abilities is the issue of how students can come in with an attitude that is against the system, which some cases come from the home. No matter what expert thinks that there are easy ways around it, it is a daunting task to override familiar opposition or apathy. Learning truly does start from home, so we cannot ignore the fact and rest all accountability in the schools. If a parent truly wants to see their child achieve, they must instill the importance of education in their child at home. The following is a list of strategies that parents can use to help them unite with the education system to motivate their child to be 2School 4 Cool.

1. Get the App – Appeal and appease are two different apps. You can appeal to your child by mixing interests with responsibilities. Appeasing, or giving in to your child’s will, creates a false sense that they are in charge and make the decisions. If you are confident with the child making the decisions, try it with your finances, health, or personal issues. As it is transferred to school, they begin to make decisions about whether or not they want to learn, and there lies our biggest challenge.

2. Let Them Learn – Lessons do not only come from books and information; they come from experiences. Experiences involve both success and failure, but most importantly the opportunity for your child to determine the difference between the two. Hovering or sheltering too much not only blocks the failures, it blocks the successes and the chances to learn the difference between the two.

3. Let Them Live – The biggest issue from home is when the parent is so vicariously obsessed with popular culture that they focus on it more than their child’s future. Let them develop their sense of self through a learning process, not a manufactured process through the power of nostalgia. Fads fade quickly, which is probably why adults look for second chances through their children, anyway.

4. Be Optimistic – do not pass on the generational pessimism of “I was never good at it, either.” Give your child the opportunity to be successful. Have high expectations for your child; nurture their potential instead of nursing their weaknesses.

5. Be Open – even if you have never received your answer to “why do I need this topic?” or “when will I ever use this in the real world,” let them explore all areas of learning and gain as much information as they can. It gives them options for the future. Also, let your child be different from other students. Different is not embarrassing unless you make it a big deal. They cannot see their own way if they are following behind everyone else.

6. Be The Motivator – always want more for your child than you had, even if you are fortunate. More is not necessarily in materials; it is in fulfillment of lifelong learning and experiences, and a sense of purpose or state of being. Motivate your child for greatness. If they want to be great, they will want to learn and work hard at being great.

7. Be An Advocate – stand up for what is right for your child, emphasis on “right.” Get involved in their lives and know what is going on. Work with the school to learn what will put your child in the best position to be successful and get on the same page. Give them responsibility, but give them guidance and assurance. They are not ready for life decisions. They need an advocate. They also need you to model making life decisions. Lastly, they need to know how to function the right way, not just the way that they would like it to go.