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Guidance: Full Article

It’s fall, and a new school year has begun. This new beginning brings rekindled hopes and visions of achievement that are in keeping with each child’s potential for learning.

As a part of this new beginning, we urge parents to become acquainted with their child’s teachers so as to open the door to a cooperative effort in making this a year of success. Research has shown over and over that the best results are achieved when parents and teachers work together in support of a common goal. The student’s academic learning, social adjustment, and behavioral development thrive best in a climate of cooperation between parents and teachers. There is a built-in partnership that teachers and parents share when nurturing the child that belongs to both, and that partnership is dependent on our knowing each other and working together for the good of the child. As a partner in this process, please get to know your child’s teachers so that the partnership can operate smoothly and provide the best possible opportunities for learning.

Remembering some things about the background of your child’s teachers will help you to know them better. Each teacher has learned his or her profession during four or five years of university experience. This training has included both the subject matter classes as well as the methods of teaching that are appropriate to the subject and the developmental level of students. Many teachers have advanced degrees, and all are required to continue the learning of new concepts and new teaching methods as our knowledge base expands and changes. The professional leadership that exists in your child’s classroom is a combination of college classroom learning, experience, and an ongoing pursuit of new learning. Your child’s teachers will want to share with you the details of their professional preparation and their own personal goals for future education.

Perhaps these suggestions will help you open the door to an acquaintance with your child’s teachers that will lead to a valuable and satisfying relationship:

1. Take the first step. Seek an opportunity to get acquainted. Make a telephone call, make a visit, ask for an appointment for a conference, or write a note. Regardless of the way you make contact, please make that contact and let your child’s teachers know that you want to get to know them.
2. Discuss with your child’s teachers the goals you have for your child. Let teachers know your expectations of performance from your youngster. Share with them any pertinent information about the child’s interests, limitations, or specific needs--knowing that such information will be held in professional confidence.
3. Mention that you’d like to communicate with them in the future. Ask about conferences, convenient times for telephone calls, and written reports that are on a regular basis. Offer assurance of respect for time.
4. Don’t overlook the special teachers who are a part of each child’s school day. Music teachers, art teachers, physical education teachers, as well as teachers of academic subjects, are a critical part of the team that puts together the school experience. Get acquainted and reach out to learn with them all.

When it comes to the success of your child in school learning, there is no substitute for teacher-parent cooperation. You--your child’s first and most important teacher--can improve school success by taking the lead in getting acquainted with the other adults who teach your child. Please make a specific effort to form a partnership with your child’s teachers. Together, we can make learning happen for your child. Please take the initiative and reach out to know the teachers who are to be a part of your child’s educational experience this year. They are your partners in nurturing that young person and want the same things that you want for your child--the best possible education.

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