In the past few months, Waterloo School Board meetings have been setting parent attendance records.

Coverage of these meetings by the Republic-Times has required some of the largest column inch stories I have ever seen in our humble county newspaper. 

An activist student protest has been part of the story. And it’s all about who uses which bathroom.

I’m inspired to see parents and students actively engaged in improving their school and education. Since I have a number of friends who are teachers, I asked them about the topics they would prioritize for stronger parental support.

The consensual number one suggestion from these teachers was for more parental attention and support at home regarding studies, lessons and homework. These teachers want parents to engage daily with their children about study progress. They would like for parents to ask questions about class work, test results and if help at home is needed. 

They want parents to prioritize homework, making sure time is set aside before social activities, sports or screen time.

Teachers want parents to help them with discipline issues instead of arguing about them. Disruptive behavior diminishes the school experience for all the other students, and it distracts teachers from the education they’re trying to provide. 

Bullying has become more pervasive, as it can now take place via social media instead of in person where teachers can see it. Important social interaction skills can be learned at school with parental help and support.

Teachers want parents to actively manage phone and computer screen time, balancing it with all the other aspects of student life. There is very little need for smart phones during the school day.

If your children ignore you at home as they stare at their phones, imagine how hard it is to get their attention at school. Home vigilance includes being attentive to psychological or behavioral changes that may be symptomatic of dangerous content or bullying on the web.

Teachers need your financial support. Funding for education is a function of the taxes you are willing to pay and the governmental representatives you vote for and support. They want you to elect representatives that place budgeting priority on education.

Most importantly, teachers need your respect. When you are sick, you seek the advice of a physician – someone who has studied medicine for years and is licensed. When you have legal trouble, you seek the advice of a lawyer – someone who has a post graduate degree from a law school and has passed the bar exam.

Teachers also must have a college education focused on teaching, and most also have post graduate degrees.

Teachers must be certified to teach. It stands to reason that teachers should be listened to about education as much as we listen to doctors and lawyers in their areas of expertise.

If you demean a teacher’s professional expertise, what model are you providing for your children?

I remember in high school that we protested about school newspaper censorship. I think it was a good experience to try and have a voice, though the reality was we weren’t yet mature enough to take a balanced look at the issue. 

I find myself wondering if there aren’t more important issues Waterloo students should speak out on.

One example is the epidemic of school shootings. Imagine if all students across our country refused to go to school until our country took significant steps to limit access to automatic weapons. It would be interesting to see how quickly our nation could act.

Back in my days, I think our bathroom safety concern was more about encountering a bully without a teacher present rather than somebody checking you out. 

I’m not sure gender matters if there are privacy stalls. Maybe the solution is to simply get rid of urinals.

I suspect our schools will produce significantly higher standard test scores if parents engaged school boards and teachers in discussions about supporting class education at home, limiting social media and web access, and monitoring student health in a world of political friction, inequality and environmental deterioration.

I don’t remember confronting alcohol and drug use, or emerging sexuality, anything close to the scale and early age that students confront these issues today. Maybe we can talk to education experts about how to do this.

Or maybe we should start simple. Advice about how to get kids to read more would be a great first step.