Educationally Speaking: Parent Collaborators — Working Together

Both home and school share the goal of helping children become successful learners. Research has shown that when parents and teachers work together, everyone benefits.

Successful parent and teacher collaboration results in students who attend school more regularly, perform better on tests, earn higher grades, and behave better.

Studies demonstrated that students had more positive attitudes toward themselves and toward school when their parents were involved. School programs that include strong parent involvement are more effective; yet, collaboration between parents and teachers is not always a smooth process.

Most parents are respectful, supportive, and grateful to educators for their hard work, but on occasion there are those who are unhappy over an incident with their child.

Raising a child is a challenging job. Parents who realize that the teacher and the educational system are powerful allies in helping shape a child into a responsible, contributing adult are going to be much more effective.

Parents who are doing a good job raising their kids and supporting their education can still have issues with a teacher such as concerns over unrealistic expectations or worries that the rate of instruction doesn’t match their child’s rate of learning.

Teachers with an excellent track record of producing successful students can still run into problems with a particular child and his or her parents.

In the teacher’s lounge they discussion about what to do with parents who are absent or too pushy, coddling and hovering.

Students who’ve been doing well in school can suddenly bomb a test or fly off the handle on the playground.

Teachers, students, and parents all make mistakes, but how we handle those missteps is what’s really important.

A parent who is a collaborator is not sitting at home judging the teacher based on comments from a cranky child at the end of a trying day. Kids have been known to exaggerate a situation in order to get their parent’s attention.

It’s important for parents to listen and sympathize, but refrain from using their cell phone in the parking lot to call the tired teacher at the end of a busy day.

Parents who are collaborators pick their battles. They step back and take a breath and decide what is important enough to demand their immediate attention. If parents realize that their tired hungry child just needs to vent, the child’s grumpiness can pass quickly.

Chances are that if you ask about the school problem after dinner, it may already be a distant memory that your child says is no big deal.
The collaborative parent knows that incidents happen and is willing to give both the child and the teacher the benefit of the doubt.

Parents who employ a SWAT team approach of swooping in and attacking the perceived enemy can end up alienating the teacher and their child. If your child realizes that you will listen to problems without immediately fixing them, you will hear more about his or her school day.

Most of us just want to be heard and don’t require that anyone fix anything. Sometimes a simple statement like, “It sounds like you had a tough day.

What do you think you’d like to do about that?” is all that’s needed. If a parent determines that it’s necessary to contact the teacher, remember to be reasonable and not rescuing.
Working parents can be involved by attending conferences and reading school or teacher newsletters. A parent’s collaborative involvement in a child’s education goes beyond contributing cookies to class parties or attending PTA meetings.

Parents who want a real eye-opening experience should chaperone a party or field trip. This can be an exhausting, exhilarating and revealing event if you keep your ears open.

Valuable insights can be gained from watching student behaviors and interactions in the classroom and on field trips.

Parents who partner in a collaborative manner with the school are more effective at assuring that children are learning to the best of their ability. Be a team member and work with your child’s teacher for his or her greater success.

-- Contact The Recorder at 784-5000, Ext. 1043.