Team up with Teachers
It’s elementary: Parent-teacher partnerships create an educational booster
by Heidi Smith Luedtke
This fall add a trusted partner to your parenting efforts: your child’s teacher.
Parents aren’t the only ones who want to see their children succeed. Teachers are concerned about kids’ development in general, not just their academic achievement, says Janet Crow, Ph.D., a child and family studies professor at Baylor University and spouse of a now-retired Army soldier.
While many teachers make the effort and reach out, parents shouldn’t hesitate to initiate the relationship. Teachers’ workloads can be overwhelming, especially at the beginning of the school year. Crow recommends meeting the teacher in person as soon as possible, rather than waiting until there’s a problem to reach out.
PCS PIPELINE
Building relationships with teachers, for military families in particular, helps establish connections with the broader community, says grown-up Army brat Donna Henderson, Ph. D., and co-author of “The Handbook of School Counseling.”
Volunteering in the classroom or helping with other school events is a great way to meet other parents in the area and become more integrated into the local area. After a PCS, back-to-school time is an opportunity for kids and parents alike to make new friends.
“Parents should be open to learning about the way this particular school does business because each school is very different,” Henderson said.
- Learn about school district policies, curriculum and programs before meeting teachers.
- Do research online – most school districts maintain extensive Web sites – or ask other military parents in your neighborhood to fill you in.
- Ask about experiences others have had with your child’s teacher
LIBRARY OF LOVE
After several moves, parents probably recognize their children’s coping patterns.
“Knowing those patterns may help a teacher support the child who is entering school after the year has begun,” Henderson said. For instance, if a child typically is shy and withdrawn initially, or gets social jitters and blabbers nonstop, teachers can help them adjust if parents share that insight.
Teachers also want to know about their students’ strengths and interests. If space science is particularly interesting to your daughter, say so. If she lives and breathes basketball, share that information, too. By personalizing your child, you help the teacher connect with her, Crow said.
Parents should also reveal specific learning challenges their children face. Focus on strategies that were helpful in the past so the teacher has some go-to problem-solving approaches before struggles surface.
LETTERS OF ACHIEVEMENT
Even if it’s a brief interaction, guardians should make an effort to check in with teachers regularly. It can be about something little, like a book your child mentioned at home or a funny story from the classroom. Let teachers know you value their expertise and respect their professional role in your child’s education, Crow said.
And don’t forget to show your gratitude. Send a handwritten thank you card. Or jot down a short note. Share a whimsical e-card. The outreach will help both parties invest in the partnership.