In Loco Parentis

On that fateful day when teachers get “sworn in” or whatever they call those first days of bulletin board making and white board cleaning – teachers are sternly notified that they will be standing in loco parentis. I get that is must be fancy Latin lawyer speak and I am also obviously aware that loco is a pivotal work in the phrase. The actual “charge” in this phrase is that we teachers are acting as the temporary parent for the minor child. We are to treat them and protect them as if we there parent. The phrase is often thrown about as a bit of a warning to new teachers to mind their mouth and their behavior in that they are not the child’s friend but they are the adult parent-replacement. It’s made to sound so ominous. It makes you see a lawsuit around every corner.

But the phrase also has a wonderful connotation to me. In that I will never be a parent, teaching gives me a wonderful chance to experience all of the benefits of parenting without all of the “behavior grounding” and college bills that go along with it. I get the good hours and usually the good behavior. I get the best of parenting!

I am always touched when a student in a way of playfully showing me respect refers to me as “dad.” At first it made me feel a bit weird and search around for someone who must play “wife.” But joking aside it will always be my favorite term of teacher endearment.

Good news is arriving every day from colleges around the country. Phones are going off (illegally, of course) in class and all are cheering. And where do I fit in? Just yesterday one of my most dear students came up and said, “It worked dad. I got into NYU – doing the same things you’ve been doing for years – – directing.” “Dad” was very proud.