It’s the beginning of the school year and your child has a new teacher to meet. Every year a relationship must be built and a partnership developed between parents and teacher in order to provide your child with the best possible classroom experience.
So, how can you help make the process go more smoothly?
What are the key elements of a good relationship between parent and teacher, and more importantly student and teacher?
As a teacher and parent myself, I’ve experienced both sides and learned a great deal. Below are some insights on how to help foster this relationship.
Ask Questions
Teachers want to know what you and your child’s concerns are. Any teacher, whether a veteran or a first-year rookie, wants to address any concerns you might have. Chances are if you have a question about the school day or homework expectations or anything else, someone else does as well.
Get Involved
A parent does not have to be at the school every single day to be involved in the life of the school. All it really takes is offering to help out. This can be at an after-school function or during the school day. Remember number one, ASK! There may be a way that you can help that will not involve a great deal of time or will be during a time that will not interfere with your work schedule. Just offering ensures that the teacher knows you are supportive.
Share Your Opinion
The best teachers see themselves as learners, too. Express your needs and feelings so the teacher can either adjust their thinking or spend some time relating why she or he does things the way they do. I once gave a test that was right out of the book and a parent brought the test in to talk about one of the questions. That parent was concerned that the illustration was not clear. He was completely right! When I really sat down and looked at the question and the illustration, it was ambiguous at best and downright confusing if you were in third grade and just learning about habitats.
It’s Worth It!
All relationships have bumps in the road. It is worth the effort and time, though, to try and build a relationship with your child’s teacher. Parents and teachers are on the same team and have the same purpose, to grow children into educated, healthy, happy adults.
Here’s to a great school year! I, for one, cannot wait to meet all my new students!
Great article, Lori! My daughters pre school teachers were great at communicating with me last year. It made leaving my baby so much easier knowing I would get a full report at pick up.