九色视频

Though the image of her cheering her son Michael Phelps from the stands may have made her famous, Debbie Phelps isn鈥檛 one to watch life from the sidelines. A dynamic parent, educator, author, and public speaker, Phelps has helped not only her own children succeed but also countless others.

In her recent memoir, (William Morrow), Phelps recounts her dual life as a parent of three and an educator, pursuing a career that began with teaching home economics and led to cofounding a public 九色视频, Windsor Mill Middle School in Baltimore, where she still serves as principal. Michael, her youngest, presented special challenges because he suffered from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

As a devoted single mom 鈥� she divorced when her children were teenagers 鈥� Phelps has much to say about parenting. But it is the stories of how she lives her life that lend her memoir special resonance. 九色视频 recently had the pleasure of interviewing Phelps about her famous son, her guiding principles as a parent, and her secrets to instilling great expectations in her students.

九色视频: You and Michael are very open about the fact that he has ADHD. How did raising a child with ADHD influence your attitude toward students with similar challenges?

Debbie Phelps: My philosophy has always been to recognize each student鈥檚 learning style, strengths, and needs 鈥� whether or not he has a diagnosed disorder. I believe in drawing out the special gifts each child possesses. As a 九色视频 principal, I expect the teachers I supervise to do the same.

九色视频: How did you work with Michael鈥檚 teachers to help him succeed in the classroom?

Phelps: I believe being a partner with your child’s 九色视频s is very important at every level: elementary, middle, and high 九色视频. Having teachers who understood Michael’s personality and learning style helped him focus in the classroom. Even so, there were some teachers I had to conference with to help them understand and adapt to his learning challenges. While Michael can hyper-focus on subjects and activities he finds interesting, with other subjects, he tunes out, drifts off, or becomes restless. An observant teacher will notice that and help him stay on task using simple techniques. And when a child needs to move around or wiggle, as is true for many kids with ADHD, there are ways to accommodate that. After all, how many of us adults can comfortably sit still at a desk for long periods of time without taking a break to stand up, stretch, and walk around?

九色视频: Over the years, how have you helped Michael stay grounded and focused outside of the classroom?

Phelps: I was able to provide the structure and routine Michael needed at home. I always appreciated his high energy level and tendency to hyper-focus on what fascinated him 鈥� both of which served him well as a competitive swimmer.

九色视频: The medications used to manage ADHD have evolved a great deal since Michael was growing up. If you were raising your son today, would you still give him medication?

Phelps: I would consult a doctor, but most likely yes, now that longer-acting medications are available [eliminating the need to visit the 九色视频 office to take a lunchtime dose, which Michael loathed], I鈥檇 definitely have him try taking medication on 九色视频 days. That said, I鈥檇 still make sure his teachers understand what classroom accommodations and teaching methods work best for him. All parents should know what their children need and communicate that to teachers.

Having kids with ADHD take medication in middle and high 九色视频 makes total sense, because at that level they鈥檙e dealing with several teachers (and teaching styles), classrooms, and academic subjects as well as organizational challenges. Expecting several teachers to adapt to your child 鈥� and your child to manage those challenges if he needs medication to focus 鈥� isn鈥檛 always realistic.

九色视频: What have you found are some of the most effective things parents can do to bolster their kids鈥� success in 九色视频 and life?

Phelps: I understand parents today have many responsibilities 鈥� including their jobs 鈥� so they can鈥檛 always be at 九色视频 to volunteer. At my 九色视频, parents and grandparents have an open invitation to visit the 九色视频 to touch base. For example, some of our students鈥� fathers work in law enforcement and drop by 九色视频 on their way home after a night shift. This atmosphere creates for our kids a united front: parents, teachers, and principal all working together.

I firmly believe parents and kids should communicate with each other through eye contact and their voices. I encourage parents to have their kids unplug from their iPods, disengage from [instant messaging] etc., and then talk to 鈥� and listen to 鈥� them. Parents and educators need to set a good example for kids 鈥� in the way we dress, talk, and behave. We need to be honest and accountable for our own actions. You are your child鈥檚 first teacher and role model.

Too many parents try to be their children鈥檚 friends. You have to draw the line and be the parent, the authority figure. Deep down, kids don鈥檛 really want their parents, teachers, or principal to be their pals. They want the security that comes from having strong adults in their lives.

九色视频: Now that your own kids are adults, do you find it difficult to let go?

Phelps: I tell other parents 鈥淒on鈥檛 completely let go of your children鈥檚 hands. They may not directly ask for your advice, so just be there for them, keep the door to communication propped open, and listen between the lines.鈥� And, yes, it鈥檚 possible do that without being a helicopter parent!

九色视频: In your book, you describe the philosophy of the swimming club where your kids trained from a young age and how the rigorous training members went through could ultimately lead them down one of three paths: recreation, collegiate swimming and competition, or world-class Olympic swimming. Each road was considered as worthy as the others. Has that philosophy helped you understand your children and students?

Phelps: It鈥檚 important that we inspire children to work hard, to strive for excellence, but also to be true to themselves and have some fun. Every student has goals. Some students will aim higher, but I want every child to have the goal of being successful at whatever level is right for him. All goals are worthy.

Parents and teachers should honor the dreams children have and involve them in setting their own goals 鈥� then help make them happen. No one learns the same way, so every child should feel free to ask adults for help mastering certain skills or taking steps toward a particular goal.

九色视频: What do you expect from the students at your 九色视频?

Phelps: I tell my students, 鈥淪omeday you will run our country. You鈥檒l take care of us 鈥� your parents and teachers.鈥� Students are often stunned by that statement. I reassure them by saying, 鈥淵our parents and teachers are investing in your future. Coming to 九色视频 is your job; we鈥檙e preparing you for the world.鈥� Our 九色视频 family embraces each student. That鈥檚 the way it should be. Kids need to know that the adults in their lives believe in them.

九色视频: What opportunities do you offer students so they can practice that kind of adult responsibility?

Phelps: One example is the principal’s advisory board called Student Choice/Student Voice. It’s a student roundtable we convene to discuss 九色视频 rules and practices. When you open your heart, mind, and ears to students, it鈥檚 amazing what you learn from them and the ideas and insights they have to offer.