As we all bid farewell to summer and settle back into the school routine, I thought I would take the time to list some of the expectations I, as a teacher, have for you as parents. This list is not exhaustive (I will probably add to it over the course of the year) and some may seem obvious, but they all are worth repeating.
- You are expected to get your kids to school, especially on the first day. Moms and Dads grab the camera and tissues and walk your kids to their classroom that first day. You will reassure them, make them feel safe, and will show them how much you care (you might even embarrass your older children, but deep down they appreciate the fact that you are there). After the first day, when all the excitement has faded, you are still expected to get your kids to school. Sounds simple, but too many kids miss too many days of school. Missing even one day of school can make a child fall an entire week behind, so get them to school. Make every effort to schedule doctors, dentists, and other appointments for AFTER school; don’t pull your kids out of school unless you absolutely have to. With that said, if your child is genuinely sick, keep them home. You don’t want to get the rest of the class, or the teacher, sick as well.
- You are expected to be involved in your student’s life. This means you need to know what is going on at school and in any extra-curricular activities your child may be involved in. If you take an active role in your child’s life at school, you will show them how much you care and how important education is. This DOES NOT mean you need to be a “helicopter” parent, always hovering over your children and swooping in to solve each and every problem that may arise. Children will never learn to be self-sufficient and resilient if you never have to solve their own problems.
- You are expected to help your students with homework, but you are not to do it for them. Homework is important. It provides students the opportunity to practice the skills learned and to add depth and understanding of facts and concepts. When you do the homework for them, you are cheating them out of the opportunity to learn. You should make it clear that homework is important, ask about their assignments, check their work over and help them when they need it. Remember, it is your child’s homework, not your homework. You are also expected to “make” them do their homework. Turn off the television or the computer, find a nice quiet place for them to work and then monitor their progress (remember not to hover though).
- You are expected to give teachers a fair shot. If there is a question, a problem, or a concern; talk to the teacher first. DO NOT call the school and ask for the principal. Talk to the teacher first, get their side of the story, and go forward from there. If you cannot resolve the issue with the teacher, then you can call the principal. Always, always, always talk to the teacher first. It is only fair and it is the first thing the principal will have to do anyway.
- You are expected to let your children experience failure. Failure is part of the educational process. Failure provides an excellent opportunity to learn from one’s mistakes. Your kids are not perfect and if they knew everything already, they wouldn’t need to be in school. Every student will struggle with certain classes or concepts. We, as parents, need to be supportive and understanding, but we cannot demand perfection. Let your children experience failure, let them learn how to deal with failure, and then turn it into a learning opportunity.
Please feel free to add any suggestions, or parent expectations for teachers below.