Talking to Teachers: What Every Parent Needs to Know (2024)
Our children spend so many hours each day with their teachers, it makes perfect sense that we, as parents, should get to know those teachers as best as we can.
However, it's important to remember that communicating with teachers is a bit different than communicating with other adults. Or at least it should be.
What should every parent know about talking with teachers?
Teachers are professionals, so they should be treated as such.Addressing teachers as "Mr. Alverez" or "Mrs. Pitsilos" is imperative.Teachers should not be addressed by their first names, especially when children are nearby. It sets an example of respect for students when they hear parents address teachers by their surnames.
Teachers follow schedules.It's imperative that parents schedule a time to talk or meet with the teacher rather than just showing up at the door expecting to talk.Most likely, there are 20 or 30 students waiting for that teacher at any time of the day; a teacher's schedule does not allow the kind of flexibility that some other professions do.
Teachers are busy.Teachers are so busy. They attend school-wide meetings, department meetings, and team meetings. They participate in IEP meetings, parent conferences, and professional development courses.They research, plan, and prepare each and every unit, lesson, and activity.They assess every student and evaluate that child's strengths, weaknesses, and needs and are constantly doing what they can to see that each student meets certain social and academic benchmarks.So if a teacher doesn't respond immediately to your call or email, it's probably for a good reason.Be patient.
That being said, even if you get ahold of a teacher on the phone, most do not have the time to chat with you for two hours as you wax on about your awesome child. The more specific, concise, and quick your conversations can be, the better.
Teachers care.If they didn't care about children, they wouldn't be in the business. Keep this truth at the front of your mind during all interactions and know that most every teacher proceeds with the best of intentions.They want your child to succeed, to exceed his or her potential, and to enjoy school.His or her life would be a lot easier if this happened.
Teachers are human.Most of them have a home and a life and a family away from school, which is what every human being needs. Teachers occasionally make mistakes, just like normal human beings do. So if a paper comes back graded with a mistake on it or a handout has a typo, or if he or she calls you by the wrong name at some point, relax. And give the teacher the second chance he or she deserves.
Remember, too, that a little bit of kindness goes a long, long way, especially in a profession that can be fairly thankless at times. Be a great parental support—in and out of the classroom—and throughout all of this teacher talk, be sure to be a great listener.
It's amazing what we can learn sometimes when we let someone else do the talking.
What do you think is important to remember when communicating with kids' teachers? We'd love to hear it! Share your thoughts on the Scholastic Parents Facebook pagetocontinue the conversation!
Give me encouragement, not a list of things my child needs. * I am afraid you are going to tell me the worst about my child -- surprise me. Tell me something great about my child. * I want to feel that you have time for our conference and are not just speeding me through.
Use everyday language and avoid acronyms, euphemisms, and professional terms. Provide too many suggestions for student improvement. It can be overwhelming for parents. Focus on a few things for a student to work on.
Teachers often misunderstand where parents are coming from and become defensive. Try to see the situation from their perspective, and explain your point of view or approach rather than trying to defend the outcomes. If a parent is angry, always let them speak first in the meeting.
Convey to the parent(s) that both you and the parents want the same thing–how to best help the child. Listen to everything the parents are saying. Avoid overwhelming them with irrelevant materials or by using jargon. Try not to overwhelm them with the presence of other school personnel unless they are needed.
Also, by having more contact with parents, teachers learn more about students' needs and home environment, which is information they can apply toward better meeting those needs. Parents who are involved tend to have a more positive view of teachers, which results in improved teacher morale.
Parents should stay informed about what's going on in the classroom and make sure that their child is getting what he or she needs from teachers. Both parties should have open communication about student performance and behavior issues; this will make it easier for teachers to address problems as soon as possible.
By working in partnership with parents, teachers can contribute to the learning and well-being of students. This collaboration will have a positive impact on students' academic performance, social-emotional learning (SEL), on-task behavior and overall holistic development.
Make it a point to communicate frequently and positively so that you have already developed a relationship before you hit bumps in the road. With the technology available these days, teachers should be able to update parents at least once a week about what's going on in the classroom.
Address: Suite 461 73643 Sherril Loaf, Dickinsonland, AZ 47941-2379
Phone: +2678139151039
Job: International Administration Supervisor
Hobby: Dowsing, Snowboarding, Rowing, Beekeeping, Calligraphy, Shooting, Air sports
Introduction: My name is Catherine Tremblay, I am a precious, perfect, tasty, enthusiastic, inexpensive, vast, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
