If you suspect there may be challenges for your child with special needs in the upcoming school year, you will want to form a team with their teacher. At Back to school night you will have had a chance to meet the teacher, and make a connection. You may have even had the opportunity to share information about your child that will make the teacher’s job easier and your child’s school experience more positive. What’s the next step to establishing a proactive approach? Find out how you can volunteer at the school.
Hopefully, your child’s teacher had some suggestions for you when you asked about it at Back to School night. If not, make some suggestions to the teacher. Volunteering will give you an opportunity to develop a deeper rapport and closer relationship. Teachers want all of their students to do well, but it is human nature to go above and beyond for the child of a friend. If your child has needed additional teacher support in the past, it pays to earn points in your relationship with the teacher before you need to request more of their time and energy.
Some teachers want adult volunteers to come into the classroom during the day to listen to students read or allow for more one on one interactions with students. If you are able to do that and your child’s teacher is comfortable with it, that is an option that allows you to observe your child’s behavior in school. This lends itself to more discussions at home about social interactions and class participation. You’ll also be in a better position to observe how other students are reacting to your child and intervene as needed.
If you work during the school day, offer to trim materials the teacher has laminated, or take other materials that could be prepped at your home after school. Involve your child in the project at home. Talk about what you like about the way the teacher is presenting material, and how you feel these activities will benefit your child. Make sure your child knows you support their teacher and their school. This will eliminate the situation where the parent and teacher are pitted against each other in a contest of adult egos. Keep the focus on your child.
Ask about field trips. Most teachers have at least one planned for the year and rely on parent volunteers to help supervise students. Let them know that you can arrange to take off work. Most teachers are thrilled with offers of this type of help. Volunteers for field trips are usually in demand. This is one way to make a very positive impression on your child’s teacher.
There are many advantages to volunteering at your child’s school. First, it allows you to develop a positive rapport with your child’s teacher. It lets them know you are committed to helping your child succeed, which supports the teacher’s success as well. This is important when a conflict arises. It is easier to resolve a problem with someone you trust. All parties go into the meeting or phone call assuming the best of the other.
If your child’s teacher refuses all offers of help, talk to the principal. Communicate your desire to support the school and your child. There may be school fundraisers that you can be part of, or after school events. It is also important to let the principal know that one of the school’s teachers was offered help from a parent and they declined the offer. There may be an issue that needs to be resolved. The principal may have a more clear understanding of the value of parental support and will appreciate your efforts. They will most likely resolve any difficulties that are preventing an effective relationship with your child’s teacher. However, if they don’t, you may need an advocate. It will be much more effective to have an advocate in place before a conflict arises. You can sign up for a free 30 minute consultation on my Contact Us page.
In the majority of cases, your child’s teacher will be pleased with your help and you will have established a system of regular communication which allows both of you to share your concerns and feedback in an open and nonjudgemental manner. When an incident arises, you will be prepared and the situation can be handled much more smoothly.