Parents are the indispensable third leg of the school. Parents who participate in school activities and events have added opportunities to communicate with teachers. Becoming involved with parent – teacher organizations (PTCA) gives the teacher and parent the possibility to interact outside the classroom. In additional, the parent will also have input into decisions that may affect their child’s education.
Research shows that children do better in school when parents talk often with teachers and become involved in the school. Close communications between parents and teachers can help the student. What most parents really want is high quality information about their child. They are involved at a very intimate level in trying to figure out, in strategizing, in testing hypotheses, in really learning who their child is becoming, what they are doing, and what another experienced, competent, insightful adult thinks is happening with that child.
As a teacher, you want the parents to be working with you, working with their child, to become the best student and person possible. Show genuine concern for the student as a person. If you communicate that your interest is in the overall development of their child, not just the points in their grade column, you will have begun to win them over to you, not just as a teacher, but as a human being. And that is indispensable.
If parents are treated with interest and respect, and teachers talk to them about their child in terms of his qualities and character, his assets and strengths, they are happy to be partners in terms of improving performance. Parent and teacher conferences should be viewed positively. These conferences enable the parent to gain vital information about their child and how he or she is doing in school, both academically and socially. Conferences are also a time when a teacher can learn more about the child who is in his or her class.
By: Neftalie V. Del Rosario | Teacher – II | Mariveles NHS – Poblacion | Mariveles, Bataan
