Parents and Teachers: Can We All Get Along?
Our story on so-called "helicopter parents" disrupting teachers' work is getting a lot of attention online today. There's a thread about it on our InsideEd blog, but it's a complex issue that, I think, also deserves discussion here.
Putting aside obvious harassment of anyone -- which I think we can all agree is wrong -- what are the right and the wrong ways to deal with your children's teachers? How does it change as the kids progress from preschool to elementary, to middle school and beyond?
Parents, I'd like to hear success stories of great partnerships you've established with your children's teachers, and how you did it. Teachers, we'd love to hear the same from you (I know the flip side of this is that many of you wish some parents were more involved.)
I've been meaning to invite teachers and other caregivers onto the blog for a while, and this seems like the prime time for them to come on down. We could use all the guidance we can get about how best to work together to help our kids be successful and safe in school. Please give us your ideas by hitting the blue Comment link below.
By the way, you might want to pick up the latest Baltimore's Child magazine, which has a story reprinted from TeacherMagazine.org called "Parents Are From Mars, Teachers Are From Venus."
Comments
My kids are not in school yet. But when I was in school, I had some fantastic teachers and some really rotten ones. And there are some programs, especially those for special education, that are seriously flawed. There is a thin line between being an advocate for your child and becoming an overbearing, obnoxious parent.
Posted by: Kayris | March 4, 2008 2:52 PM
i've found it always helps to be involved in the classroom from the beginning of the year, if u can. the key is to help when the teacher asks for it, not to hover. if you can make sure the teacher knows you from the beginning, it's easier to talk to her if there is a problem with your child.
Posted by: kken | March 7, 2008 5:12 AM