Here are the top 10 things teachers and/or schools wish parents would do, an excerpt from my book, “Why Great Teachers Quit and How We Might Stop The Exodus.”
1. Establish Routine
Establish a daily family routine, including healthy eating and sleeping habits.
2. Build Self-Esteem
Build their child’s self-esteem by expressing interest in the child’s schoolwork and affirming the child’s worth through positive messages.
3. Communicate
Communicate openly with the school and contact the school when they are aware of issues concerning their child’s success.
Approach your child’s teachers directly with an issue rather than going to the school office or principal first.
4. Set Realistic Standards
Express high and realistic standards for their child.
5. Check Homework
Check on homework regularly and ask questions about their child’s work.
6. Read Aloud
Read aloud daily to/with their child. Connect everyday experiences to what is being learned at school.
7. Utilize the Community
Use community learning opportunities. Expose their child to the library, museums, the theater, concerts, etc. Encourage their child to join clubs, scouts, after-school sports or fine arts, and other community programs.
8. Monitor Activities
Monitor out-of-school activities and set expectations for appropriate behavior.
9. Learn at Home
Model learning at home by playing games, reading newspapers or magazines, and discussing current events.
10. Volunteer
Volunteer to help in their child’s classroom, as much as you reasonably can. Parents and teachers have the unique and powerful opportunity to develop a strong, supportive relationship that can motivate and inspire children to do great things. We owe it to them and to ourselves to find ways to build positive partnerships and a respectful climate. By doing so, we not only can give our children the best education possible, but we also increase the likelihood that teachers will stay in the field doing what they do best.
About the Author
Katy Farber is the author of “Why Great Teachers Quit and How We Might Stop The Exodus” (link below). She is a fifth and sixth grade teacher at Rumney Memorial School in Middlesex, Vermont. She has a master’s degree in teaching, with a specialization in science, grades seven through nine, from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.
Katy is also the author of the popular green parenting blog, Non-Toxic Kids. Katy Farber and Non-Toxic Kids have been featured in The Washington Post, , the Richmond Times Dispatch, the Toronto Star,Enviroblog, Terrain Magazine, and on many green and educational blogs and websites.
About this article
This article is based on information from PTA.org and excerpted from “Why Great Teachers Quit and How We Might Stop the Exodus.”
