What Teachers Really Wished Parents Knew
- We asked local teachers what they would say to every student's parent if they could.
Plenty of sleep at night, a healthy breakfast in the morning. When the kids are back in school you do everything you can to make sure they get off on the right foot. But one of the best things you can do to help your child have a great school year doesn’t involve them at all. A good relationship between parents and their child’s teacher can go a long way in improving communication and preventing problems during the school year.
We talked to several different local teachers and asked them what tip they would give to parents looking to create a great parent/teacher relationship. Follow this advice and everyone is sure to have a great school year!
What Teachers Wish Parents Knew
They Want You to Be Present
Come to the special events, but feel free to show up on the normal days, too. You will get a truer feel for what your child is doing in class (good and bad), witness the dynamics with other students, and see my teaching in person. It also gives us an opportunity to talk in a more casual setting than on Open House or during a parent-teacher conference. Many parents work full time, but if there’s any way to squeeze in an hour or two during lunch or after a doctor’s appointment, it will be time well spent. It also goes a long way in showing your child that you are involved. I have seen MANY changes in student behavior after their parents have sat in on classes or showed up unexpectedly to talk with teachers.
Communication Is Critical
If there’s a problem early on, I prefer to call a parent, rather than email. Emails are easier to “read” after you’ve spoken to someone in person or over the phone. I always start with the positive – find something to brag about–before I move into the problem we’re having. It always helps if parents approach me the same way if they have a concern about my teaching or their child’s grade.
They Want to Work Together
A parent and a teacher should work as a team rather than as opponents. When children see their parents and teachers working together in a positive atmosphere they are given a sense of security and also a stronger desire to follow the rules on both sides. Constant communication whether good or bad is a must. There should be no academic, behavioral, or any other surprises for the parents or teacher. My students and their parents become a part of my family. We call ourselves a family. Successful families love each other good & bad & they communicate!
They Need Patience
I want to communicate with my parents but they also have to realize that normally during the workday I can’t get back to your emails and sending six of them doesn’t make me go any faster. Respect instructional time and realize that teachers have many parents (and children) to respond to. Give us time to get back to you with a prepared response to your question.
Please Assume the Best, Not the Worst
The overwhelming majority of teachers became teachers because they love kids and want to make a difference. If you color all your interactions with your child’s teacher with the basic assumption that you both want what’s best for your child, you will have a good relationship with that teacher and your child is the one who really wins.
More Great Local Back-to-School Info
Rocket City Mom is a website about raising children in and around Huntsville, Alabama. Started in late 2010 by a local mom and newcomer to Huntsville, Rocket City Mom has grown into a thriving community of local parents and now boasts a staff of four, thirteen regular contributors, and tens of thousands of Tennessee Valley readers making it the #1 Parenting Resource in North Alabama.