PARENT / TEACHER RELATIONSHIP

Your child will spend 6 hours a day in a classroom with his teacher. That works out to about 1200 hours per year. It is a good idea to touch base with the teacher early in the school year to demonstrate that you care deeply about your child’s education and that you wish to be a contributing team player in the process. It is important that this first meeting have a positive tone and establish a communication system that works for the teacher (i.e.. phone, e-mail, text, classroom blog, etc.). If or when the teacher identifies an area of concern about your child, it is most productive if you direct the discussion towards ways to solve the problem as early as possible. It is also a good idea to share strategies with the teacher that were successful in previous years and at home.

Sometimes situations arise and a difference of opinion occurs and you are unable to reach and agreement with the teacher. Becoming angry with the teacher usually leads in a direction that is unhelpful. It is much better to remain calm and ask the teacher to include the principal or learning resource teacher in searching for a solution.

Assuming that a suitable solution to the issue is found, I would strongly encourage you to show your appreciation to the teacher by sending a note to the principal expressing your gratitude for the manner in which the school responded to you and your child. Your relationship with the teacher (and principal) will set the tone for the entire year.