Some parents feel intimidated by education professionals, especially if the parents don’t have an advanced degree or even any post high training. They may feel that the teacher is the expert and be reluctant to interfere with or question what is happening in the classroom. While the teacher has the professional training, parents are the experts on their child. You have been with your child since birth and are best qualified to understand their needs and how they learn. You will be involved in the life of your child for a lifetime, while teachers will only be involved for a few months or possibly years. Both parents and teachers have valuable contributions to make, with the parents sharing their knowledge of the student and the professionals sharing their knowledge of the learning process.
This partnership between parents and teachers can be hostile, or it can be productive, it’s your choice. It will benefit your child if it is productive, because that allows the focus to remain on the child, not the adults. Just as two divorced parents using their children as pawns to even the score in their battle of wills can do far more harm than good for their children, parents and teachers lost in an ego trip can do serious damage to the student. The child’s needs and best interest are forgotten as the adults are occupied with proving who is right and who is wrong. This is not the way to provide the best education possible for your child. In all your interactions with your child’s teachers and school personnel, keep the focus on your child.
Start at the beginning by keeping this goal of forming an effective team in mind as you meet with your children’s teachers for the first time. Most often, this is at some type of Back to School event. If you have chosen a really innovative school, they will have arranged for you to have one on one time with the teacher. This is ideal, but make the most of whatever you’re given. Remember, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Come to this meeting with all the positive energy you can muster.
Everyone likes to be appreciated. Include sincere compliments on the arrangement of the classroom, the teacher’s appearance, background, willingness to be a teacher, things you’ve heard about them or the first impression they make. Teachers frequently spend hours preparing instructional materials without any recognition. Be generous with your appreciation. With all the passion in your heart, freely express your anticipation of working with them to provide a successful school year for your child and the rest of the students in the classroom. Sincerely believe it will be a successful year and then work to make it so. That energy is contagious and soon everyone who works with your child will be infected with it.
Be prepared for this opportunity with written information you can give your child’s teacher. Make sure it includes your child’s name, your name and contact information. As you hand it over you are sincerely expressing your willingness to work with them and communicate frequently, because you are invested in your child’s academic success. Include any information about your child’s unique learning needs that will help the teacher.
Don’t stop with the teacher. Make an effort to meet everyone who will be working with your child. Talk to the principal. Introduce yourself and explain that you have given your child’s teacher information about your child because you are excited to be working with them to help your child with special needs. It wouldn’t hurt to give a copy to the principal. Communicate your appreciation for all the service the principal provides and your willingness to support the school in providing the best education possible for your child. Let them know you will be volunteering and are invested in the school’s success. If the school secretary is there, meet them as well. Introduce yourself to the custodian. Every person who works at the school will, at some point, interact with your child and has the potential of becoming the safe person your child can go to when they need additional support. Meet as many as you can and share your positive energy.
When a conflict does arise, you will be addressing it with people you have developed a rapport with, friends, allies, teammates. Once you have established that level of trust and mutual respect, it will be much easier to keep the focus on the best interest of your child. You can collaborate and get creative to find solutions instead of competing.
I have seen miracles happen when a team consisting of concerned parents and caring professionals is formed. Students reach levels of academic achievement beyond what was expected. Classroom behavior improves. Students gain confidence and overcome challenges. Your child will achieve maximum progress when you and his school are working together in harmony. It is best for the student, best for the parent, and best for the school when they work together. It’s a win-win-win.