Mrs. White and her daughters Emily (’17) and Maddie (’14) pose for a family photo.
Photo by Tue Duong
By Crystal Hui
Most students on campus are unaware of the fact that multiple FVHS teachers have children who attend the school as well.
The parent-child relationship that exists at home is can be well-hidden at school. In some instances, a student may end up in their parent’s class.
“It’s kind of funny because she knows I’m there,” said Verity Webster (’17), who is the daughter of a history teacher at FVHS. “But no one else knows that I’m her daughter.”
Teachers and their children manage to keep their relationship at school professional. Teachers tend to put more pressure and expect more out of their children rather than being more lenient towards them.
Biology teacher Emily Barro said,“If [my son] Connor were in my class, I would definitely expect the best quality of work.”
Some of the teachers are excited to be at the same school as their children.
“For me, because I’ve been here for twenty years, I was excited to have [my children] here,” said history teacher Eva White. “When I come work, I’m in teacher mode anyway, so if they are here, hey.”
With their own kids in their work environment, teachers are able to view things more easily through the eyes of a student.
“It’s kind of nice because I get to see what she’s learning and I get to put myself in the position of a student,” said history teacher, Julie Chaicharee, “I feel more sympathetic to a student’s life seeing [the work my daughter has to do].
By being in the same class as their parent, a student would be able to see how well their parents get along with other kids and how cool students think their parents are. It opens up the eyes of students and makes them feel less embarrassed by their parents.
“If she does come into my class I’ll be like, ‘oh no,'” said White’s daughter Emily, who is a freshman at FVHS. “Since I’m the younger one, I’m kind of used to her embarrassing me, but everyone loves her.”
Having a child or parent at the same school can have its pros and cons. When students forget their lunch or class materials, it’s nice to know that one of their parents is just somewhere around campus and able to help.
“One day he forgot to print something from class, and he was able to run to me during passing period and I helped him print it out,” said Barro.
By going to the same school, teachers and their kids are able to carpool every morning and afternoon, which is a huge convenience for many parents. Also being able to communicate and know the teachers of their students, is a major bonus of teaching at the same school as their children. By being on the same campus as their kids, teachers are able to support the activities their children participate in.
“The cons are, if he gets in trouble, we are linked together,” said Barro.
Timing can also be difficult for teachers and their children.
“Before I could drive, I would have to come to school with her,” said White’s daughter Maddie, who is a senior. “She likes to come early to get her planning and schedule all ready so I’d have to get up extra early to come with her, and after school I would have to wait in her classroom or find my own ride home.”
However, the students generally do not mind having parents on campus because their parents try to let them have as much of a normal high school experience as possible.
“In the first week of school, I let them do their own thing and I don’t tell their teachers, ‘Hey you have my daughter in your class!’” said White. “I want them to experience as much of high school as they can without the feeling of Mom hovering.”
