Most teens grow apart from their parents once they reach high school, but that can be difficult when they go to school with you. Instead of saying goodbye to one of their parents at home, several students come to school with their parent, also a teacher at their school.

“I like the fact that I know she’s there, and I use her classroom as a locker,” freshman Amanda Ruiz said. “She is always checking up on me and asking how I am doing in class.”

Amanda’s mother, Aimee Ruiz, teaches Spanish I and III L. This year is the first year they are together at school.

“I was very happy and excited to begin our new adventure,” Aimee said.

The Stephanows have a similar situation.

“I get a ride to school,” sophomore Kendall Stephanow said. “And I keep my lunch in her fridge and heat it up in her microwave.”

Students also like the academic benefits.

“It’s really an advantage you have your personal tutor,” sophomore Myles Wilson said.

Parents see benefits from the arrangement as well.

“I can get to her quickly and easily if she gets sick,” U.S. Government teacher Leah Stephanow said. “She knows I’m nearby for moral support if she’s having a rotten day.”

Aimee agrees.

“I’m able to communicate with teachers directly,” Aimee said. “Also, knowing that she can go to any of my colleagues and ask for help if I am not there is an advantage.”

It also makes vacation time easier.

“We’re able to travel in the summertime and spend every holiday together,” assistant principal Andrea Lagard said. “Some families are not that fortunate, so I don’t take that time for granted.”

However, having a parent so involved in your life can have the opposite effect on a teenager.

“I don’t like the fact that teachers will only see me as her daughter and not as a normal student,” Amanda said. “They tend to give me higher expectations to meet.”

Getting away with things is practically impossible.

“She knows everything I do before I even tell her,” Myles Wilson said. “I have to be on my best behavior.”

There are bound to be students who do not like their teachers but, knowing classmates dislike a parent can be uncomfortable.

“I’ve heard two people talk about her and I was kind of hurt by it,” Amanda said. “To me, my mom is perfect and I love her but, I knew the things they said were wrong so I brushed it off and responded sarcastically.”

Gossip among students can also put the teachers in a tough position.

“In my position as an Assistant Principal, students are not always happy with my decisions,” Lagard said. “I used to worry that students would take it out on [my son]. However, he seems to handle everything pretty well.”

Although Kendall is zoned to Cy-Fair, she chose to attend the same school as her mom.

“I’ve gotten to know the staff personally because of [my mom].”

At the end of the day, these students do not mind sharing the school with their parent. It can even give them a sense of comfort to know a parent is just down the hall.

“I always have someone to go to if I need something,” Amanda said. “It’s always good to know you have someone to watch over you in a positive way around school.