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One of the most formidable aspects of going back to school for parents and children is meeting your child's new teacher. What kind of teacher is he or she? How easy or difficult is the teacher going to be to work with? Some parents are lucky enough to know the teacher through older children. Most often though, parents know the teacher only by reputation or not at all.
A large part of a child's success in school depends on how involved a parent or guardian is in the education process. To understand where a child is in his or her classroom, a parent needs to develop a communication flow with the child's teacher. Teachers tend to be more committed to children with parental support.
How To Establish A Good Working Relationship With Your Child's Teacher
1. Understand the class curriculum - know the requirements of the class and what expectations there will be for your child. How much nightly homework does the teacher consider acceptable? What are the major projects your child will have to complete during the school year?
2. Be involved in your child's homework and projects - most teachers establish a homework routine for their students to follow. Learn this routine and follow up to ensure your child's timely completion of all assignments. Check your child's homework to verify his/her understanding.
3. Attend school events designed for parental information (i.e. Back-to-School Night, parent-teacher conferences) - If you are unable to attend at the specified time, discuss this with your child's teacher and establish another time to meet.
4. Participate in your child's classroom - If your schedule is flexible enough to allow you to participate in your child's class on a regular basis, do so. This is the all around best way to establish a good working relationship with the teacher.
If your schedule does not allow you to routinely participate in your child's class, try to take one day off from your schedule early in the school year. Spend the whole day in school with your child. Make this day an annual ritual; it will create a positive memory associated with school that can continue through your child's elementary education years. This participation will give you a snapshot of your child's classroom environment and will provide a point of reference for future discussions with either the teacher or your child.
If you drop your child off at school every day, take this opportunity to walk your child into his or her classroom and have daily contact with the teacher. If an issue surfaces, this gives either of you the opportunity to bring it up and open the lines of communication.
5. As concerns and questions surface, do not hesitate to call or e-mail your child's teacher. Most teachers appreciate the opportunity to interact with their student's parents. If you fear there is too much homework for your child, or the subject matter of assignments is too difficult or advanced, be prepared with examples. Ask other parents from the classroom if they are experiencing a similar situation.
6. If your child continues to have a difficult time coping in school despite your attempts at intervention and assistance, request a parent-teacher conference. Perhaps together, you can determine the root of your child's issues.
In very rare cases, you might encounter a teacher who has limited or no interest in the success of your child as a student. When this occurs, it is your duty as a parent to take your evidence to either the school principal or the school district.
Developing a good working relationship with your child's teacher will not necessarily guarantee that your child will be a good student, but it will help their chances.
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