Behind every successful public school student is a great public school teacher. And great teachers make great public schools. But teachers can’t do it alone.
I would be lying if I said virtual schooling has made the parent/teacher relationship for us stronger, it hasn’t. There will be times where we will email the teacher a question and not get a response for three or days, a few times not at all until we followed up.
We are very understanding of the current situation and how difficult things are for everyone, but my husband and I, ensuring that we have a strong relationship with our children’s educators and school is a must on all levels, no matter what is going on.
The research is clear: Students perform better in school when their parents are actively involved in their education.
“Teachers help students soar and make their hopes and dreams come true,” said Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association. “And when parents are involved in their children’s education, they will go farther – and the schools they attend are better.”
NEA, which represents 2.8 million teachers, education support professionals and other educators, offers five easy ways for parents to get more involved in education year-round:
- Check in with teachers on a regular basis. Be proactive and don’t wait for a problem or challenge to arise before taking action.
- Get to know the guidance counselors and other school employees. Education support professionals generally know all of the students in the school, and their relationship with your children will continue as they move from one grade to the next.
- Attend school events. Open houses, parent-teacher conferences, dances or other school activities provide good opportunities for parents to connect with teachers and school employees.
- Volunteer at the school. Make time in your schedule to help out with school plays, act as a classroom helper or chaperone field trips.
- Keep the lines of communication open. Whether they are your children’s classmates, friends or neighbors, get to know others – especially parents who have children attending the same school. Form support groups to work on problems and issues of mutual interest.
“The home is an extension of the learning that takes place inside the classroom,” Weaver said. “When parents get involved in their child’s education, everyone wins.”
Love of impromptu dance parties, 80’s cartoons, and horizontal life pauses (aka naps); Natasha Brown is a stay at home mom of 4 kids, and wife to one lucky guy! In her spare time, she is co-editor of Grits & Grace, as well as editor for The Mother Hustler Blog and Creative Director for the Mother Hustler podcast.
