Get to Know Your Child’s Teacher

Several times during the year, there are parent-teacher conferences, as well as Meet the Teacher Night. In order for parents to become more involved in their child’s education, attending these events is very important.

Although Parent-Teacher Conferences occur in the fall and spring of each school year, it is a good idea for parents to establish a relationship with their child’s teacher from the outset by providing a phone number at home and work so the teacher can reach the parent at any time.

Schools send letters and informational material throughout the school year, which delineate not only the school calendar of events but important dates such as testing, parent-teacher nights, and other important dates which are either sent via the Chancellor or the administrator of the school. In most cases, the child is given the information to take home to the parent. Unfortunately, some children never give the information to the parent, who is then left in the dark.

This is why on-going communication with the child’s teacher is so important. While some teachers make an effort to contact parents regarding their child’s progress, others take the time to write home to parents as well. It is highly recommended that parents seek out their child’s teacher in the beginning of the school year so that later on they will be able to discuss any and all issues regarding homework, report cards, and test scores.

There are occasions when parents become dissatisfied with the response time from teachers, and rightly so. This is where the Parent Coordinators’ intervention enables parents to meet with Assistant Principals, Principals, Guidance Counselors, and the school-based support team, if necessary, to ensure they are receiving up-to-date information about their child’s progress.

With the No Child Left Behind Act having been established, more and more parents are becoming involved in their children’s education. Whether as volunteers or in other school-related capacities, parents have taken a key role in their children’s education including: working with their child’s teachers throughout the school year, becoming members of the Parents Teachers Association, and providing input as to how to best improve not only the school environment, but the education of all children as well.