A teacher's job is more demanding and complex than it used to be. Far from being merely educators, teachers wear many hats that include the role of parent, social worker, and nurse.
Nowadays instructors must not only teach a subject in their classrooms, they have to observe children for health concerns, safety factors, and abuse issues and report these to appropriate authorities. They must be on the alert for disturbed students who may assault others without warning or bring weapons to school. Before and after class they are urged to keep an eye out for possible predators who stalk students on the playground or en route. In addition to these tasks, teachers write lesson plans and grade papers in response to state and national standards for a paycheck that many deem inadequate.
To support your child's teacher, consider some of the following tips that may make his or her job a little easier.
1. Volunteer weekly or monthly. Become a room mother or a teacher's aide to help monitor children on the playground, at break, or during lunch. Offer to grade papers or type lesson plans. Bring occasional snacks for the teacher only or the class as well. Help a weaker student practice reading, math, writing, or other needed skills while the teacher works with the rest of the class.
2. Partner with the teacher regarding your child's progress. Instead of arguing with or criticizing the teacher's assessment of your child's progress, make an appointment to discuss it and ask for ways in which you can help your child meet that grade level's learning objectives.
3. Send in a gift certificate from a school supply store. School budgets often get cut, leaving teachers without adequate resources for their students. A gift certificate may facilitate the purchase of art supplies, a software tutorial, or a class teaching resource such as a globe that otherwise could not be afforded.
4. Join the PTA. A parent-teacher organization promotes students' well-being through a host of projects to benefit the school and assist teachers in meeting goals. Fund raisers can help to finance a part-time reading monitor or a music instructor. Some projects fund classroom carpeting or a new blackboard.
5. Write a note. Send a card of appreciation to your child's teacher as well as another to the principal in which you praise the instructor for specific strengths or accomplishments. The note can become part of the teacher's permanent record and come up for review during the annual evaluation, perhaps contributing to a better pay raise.
6. Submit a newspaper article. Send a short piece about your kids' school and their teachers to the local newspaper. Those citing special projects or achievements are apt to be considered for publication, further boosting your community's morale and the teacher's sense of well-being. Most teachers receive plenty of parental criticism but little praise, especially in written form.
Everyone likes to feel that they are doing a good job and that people appreciate them. Spend a little time investing in your kids' teachers, and your kids may reap the benefits in terms of a confident instructor who doubles his or her efforts to continue doing a great job.
