What Teachers Would Like Parents to Know
When
Mary Lou Youngberg’s boys were growing up, she often volunteered
at their school doing everything from working as a room mother in
the classroom to a PTA officer and Scout leader.
“When my children were older and we were facing the ‘empty
nest,’ my husband encouraged me to return to school to get my
teaching degree,” said Mrs. Youngberg. “Now that I
am teaching full time, I want to go back to every teacher my sons
ever had and tell them how much I admire and appreciate their
decision to enter this challenging profession.”
Mrs. Youngberg describes her teacher training as amazing.
“I learned that it is my job to inform parents that children go
through developmental stages and that every child is unique and
special, every child has a learning style and parents do too,”
said Mrs. Youngberg. “I have learned that it is very
difficult to convey what it is that makes the teaching profession so
challenging, yet so rewarding and worthwhile. It seems to me
that we teachers share a joy and passion for working with children
that others do not comprehend or appreciate.”
“Mrs. Youngberg and other teachers agree that there are some
common thoughts about what they wish they could tell parents.
Here are a few of those things to help you make this the best school
year yet:
• Be informed. Attend open houses and PTA
meetings – no matter how old your child is. Read information
sent home by your child’s teacher. It is amazing how often
teachers are asked questions about information that was addressed in
newsletters or other correspondence. Become familiar with
school curriculum, policies and procedures. If your school has
a website, check it out.
• Be responsible – Respond to requests for
your signature promptly. Send lunch money, field trip money,
PTA dues, etc. in a timely fashion. Teachers spend precious
time sending home reminders about this and more. Make it a
habit to check your child’s folder or backpack daily for notes and
information from school. Be on time for conferences.
Label all your child’s belongings, including jackets and
backpacks.
• Be a good role model – Demonstrate the
importance of following school rules and procedures. Make sure your
child gets to school on time and is picked up on time. If your
child is supposed to sit and read quietly in the cafeteria before
school, make sure she has a book in her backpack. Look for
opportunities to meet and greet all the adults your child will
encounter at school.
• Be supportive – Join PTA and attend
meetings. Offer to volunteer. Even if you are unable to
go on field trips or volunteer during the school day, you may be
able to help in other ways. Perhaps you could prepare
classroom materials at home in the evening.
• Be Reasonable – If you need to meet with the
teacher, send a note requesting a meeting. It is hard for
teachers to have quick unscheduled conferences when they are trying
to keep up with their class. If your child is sick, keep him
home from school.
• Encourage good homework habits – Help your
child understand the importance of completing homework assignments
in a timely manner. Offer assistance and encouragement, but
make sure the final product reflects her effort, not yours.
When parents provide structure and guidance and then allow their
children to learn from their mistakes as well as their successes it
shows they care. If your child is struggling with a particular
topic, talk with the teacher about ways you can help. Look
over your child’s work to reinforce the concepts being taught at
school.
• Keep the teacher informed - Send a note or
talk to your child’s teacher about issues that may affect your
child’s performance at school. If your child is dealing with
grief, divorce, sibling rivalry, nervousness about an upcoming event
or excitement about a visit from out-of-town grandparents, it is
good to share this information. Make sure the teacher knows
about health issues such as asthma or allergies. Provide
information on what procedures you follow in the event of an
allergic reaction.
• Encourage healthy habits – Whether your
child buys lunch or brings a lunch, keep the emphasis on good
nutrition. Avoid sending sugary snacks to school and have healthy
snacks on hand at home. Encourage your child to spend time
being physically active through play or sports. Make sure your
child gets enough sleep.
• Read together - Children benefit enormously
when parents read with them. Make reading together a daily
habit. Have discussions about reading and talk about books as
you take turns reading out loud. Help your child acquire
age-appropriate books about topics that interest him.
• Express Appreciation – Teachers strive to
inspire students to be lifelong learners. They often make the
work they do look effortless, but it requires a lot of expertise and
countless hours of planning to do what they do.
“It is important to remember that teachers teach because of the
things they believe in,” said Mrs. Youngberg. “They want
each child’s special interests and talents to be nurtured.
Teachers know that once you give children the tools and experiences
to make learning relevant, they truly will be lifelong learners.”
Article
written by Julie Baumgardner
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