What can a parent do to make the most of their child’s current learning situation in school, regardless of who the teacher or her attitudes is? Here are a few suggestions.

• Always approach the teacher with the perspective of working together as a team for the benefit of your child’s education. If you have a problem or concern, think through your communication with the teacher prior to making contact.
• See yourself as an important facet of your child’s education. More than anyone, parents are their children’s educators. No teacher or school can trump the influences of the home, for better or for worse.
• Realize the contraints placed on the teacher, principal, and school. Be considerate of the educators’ time and be cognizant of her sphere of influence.
• Show appreciation and give thanks. When things are going great, make sure the teacher still hears from you.
• When communicating with your child about school, always frame the conversation so that the child understands that you are a part of a team working for his or her education.

Does anyone have any advice to add here? I’d love to see it!

Heather

It is an interesting NY Times article, however, and I thought I’d put a link to it here in case any parents out there need some data to back up the claim that their child’s school should not cut recess (or in some sad cases, needs to reinstate it).

Yes. Innovation. A focus on problem solving, writing, math, and science. Expectations of excellence. I think we all want that to be the definition of our child’s school. However, so often that is not the case in public schools in America.

I was recently on a trip to my hometown where I read in our local paper that the town’s high school currently sent home letters to all parents notifying them that, currently, 50% of the students at that high school were failing. FAILING. Knowing the culture of mediocrity and acceptance of poor behavior and less (much less) than excellent academics at my own alma mater, I wasn’t surprised to learn that the school was not flourishing, but to find that number of students FAILING is, needless to say, disconcerting.

As Einstein said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” Clearly, a school at which 50% of students cannot succeed needs some serious re-thinking. According to Obama’s new education secretary, Arne Duncan, improving our schools isn’t just about education – it’s a matter of social justice.

What defines a leading school to you?

1. A letter, pure and simple, outlining why you appreciate the teacher’s work and what he or she has done for your child thus far this year. If the teacher is truly exemplary, copy the principal and school board chairperson on the letter.

2. Send in a ‘coupon’ for an hour or two of your time – you can copy papers, create a bulletin board, or organize supplies. Teachers’ days are stretched thin, especially if they have children of their own, so this gesture is much appreciated!

3. Work with your child to create a list of “lessons learned” from this school year so that the teacher can see the difference she is making in your child.

4. Believe it or not, a home-made gift from students is one of the greatest gifts that teachers can get. I still hang ornaments on my Christmas tree that were given to me by students a decade ago. As I do, I think of them fondly and wonder what life has brought them through the years.

5. Finally, two little words, spoken sincerely: THANK YOU.

Heather

“Using a sample of more than 2,400 4-year-olds in 671 pre-K classrooms in 11 states, researchers at the University of Virginia found that minimum standards for classrooms—including teachers’ field of study, their level of education, and the teacher-to-child ratio—were not associated with children’s academic, language, and social development.

Instead, academic and language skills were stronger when children received greater instructional support, such as feedback on their ideas and encouragement to think in more complex ways. And children’s social skills were more advanced when teachers showed more positive emotions and were sensitive to children’s needs.” (Linda Jacobson, Education Week, published online on May 15, 2008)

This raises an issue that we all know intuitively, and it is summed up in the old addage, “You get more bees with honey than you can with vinegar.” However, we tend to downplay these ‘intangibles’ because they cannot be measured or quantified easily.

For parents, this means that it is important to get a ‘feel’ for your child’s school and his or her teachers and consider the implications for the relationship that your child will have with his or her teacher.  As a parent, you can help facilitate a positive and supportive relationship with those who teach your young child by:

1. Offering support to the teacher so that she understands that you are invested in the school and the education of your child (this can take a variety of forms – do not feel as if you have to be available as a regular classroom volunteer to convey this support).

2. Asking thoughtful questions about what is going on in class. This will give you insight into your child’s day, and it will also let the teacher know that you are thinking about various aspects of your child’s education such as socialization, work schedule, and nutrition (just to name a few).

3. Backing off a bit when things seem to be moving along smoothly. As a teacher I remember that I and each and every one of my colleagues had ‘that parent’ who was always hovering or hounding about something. Unless there is a valid and ongoing concern, the parent who is perceived as overbearing is negatively affecting his/her child’s relationship with the educator. Remember, most teachers are sensitive to their students’ needs, know their curriculum, and communicate well with parents. Do not enter into the relationship expecting less.

Also, look for ways to enrich the school curriculum with extracurricular activities. Recently, I registered my son for a county-sponsored arts program focused on Chinese calligraphy during the semester he learned about Ancient China in school. Opportunities such as this are abundant, and never has it been easier than in today’s ”www” world to find out what is going on in your town.

Heather