With a new school year upon us, it means new grades and new teachers. The new teacher is the one person that will be consistent in your child’s life for the next nine months. Because of this, it is imperative that you learn how to connect with your teacher and then you encourage him/her to do the same with you.
Communication is a key factor in how you connect with the new teacher. From the start of the school year, it is recommended that you get to know the new teacher, attend parent meetings, send an email or place a call and just let him or her know you are actively available to participate in your child’s education. Teacher’s are used to having many parents that aren’t interested in education, and having a parent that is willing to work with them will make their job easier too.
Newsletters are another great way to get information about what is happening in your child’s classroom. A teacher might list homework assignments, classroom news, information about what your child is learning and perhaps even a request for supplies or needing a volunteer.
Volunteering in your child’s classroom or at least volunteering to help the teacher with whatever he/she needs, is an excellent way to connect with the new teacher. Offering an expertise you might have, or any available time is both helpful to the teacher and allows you to help with your child’s education.
When there is a problem, the first step is contacting the teacher directly. Send them an email or leave them a voice mail alerting them that you need to speak with them. Don’t get mad, and don’t assume that everything your child tells you is always right. Very rarely is there a teacher that dislikes a student and lets them know that. More than likely there is much more to a story or homework assignment than you are aware of. Before jumping to conclusions based on what your child tells you, contact the teacher and speak with her. Communication is truly the most effective way to connect with a new teacher.
Nicole Humphrey writes about the creative and memory preserving side of life and families in the Scrapbooking Blog and Fun Blog, provides helpful hints to blended families and single parents on the Parents Blog, and provides informative tips and advice for students, teachers and parents on the Education Blog. She also guest blogs on a variety of topics. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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