6 Ways to Build an Effective Partnership with Your Child’s Teacher

how_to_build_a_good_relationship_with_your_childs_teacher

In any successful partnership there’€™s trust, honesty and open communication. The same holds true between parents and teachers. A child spends more waking hours with their teacher than they do their parents, so ensuring that you’€™re both on the same page is critical to your child’€™s success in school. The Learning Partnership reached out to retired teachers and principals and asked for their best tips on what parents can do to build a strong partnership with their child’€™s teacher.

Here’€™s what they offered up:

  • Write a letter to your child’€™s teacher to help them better understand your child. Tell them about their interests, strengths, challenges and your own hopes for your child. Follow up with a face to face meeting.
  • Advise the teacher about anything special/different happening at home (birth of new sibling, death of grandparent, serious illness of student or family member) that may impact the student’€™s ability to concentrate or focus on learning.
  • Don’€™t just get in touch with teachers only when there is a problem. Try sending positive feedback in written form 3 to 4 times a year (e.g. thanking them for an interesting lesson that your child commented on, or a special trip planned for the class). Positive notes are treasured by teachers.
  • If you’€™re concerned about something in the classroom, give the teacher the courtesy of discussing it with them first before going to the principal or superintendent.
  • Don’€™t disengage when your child starts high school. Be proactive: go to school open houses, get a school calendar and know when events are happening. Find out about volunteer opportunities such as coaching, mentoring, and chaperoning. Be involved in a way that keeps you informed and still allows your student their independence.
  • Lastly, it’€™s all about attitude. When we start with the attitude that teachers have our students’€™ best interest at heart and we remind ourselves that they are human too, parents can begin establishing strong relationships with a healthier perspective and be in a better position to support their children in their school journey to success.

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