3 Reason To Partner With Your Child’s Teacher

I’m a shameless advocate of parent-teacher partnerships. It’s not because I was a teacher or was raised by teacher, but because I understand the power of parent-teacher cooperation. It takes a village and your child’s teacher should definitely be one adult advocate in your child’s tribe. Trusting an “outsider” with your child’s growth and development can be a challenge for some to overcome, but the trade off for doing so is immeasurable when it works.

​Communication is a vitally important component to parent-teacher relationships. I want my children’s teachers to understand that I’m not here to judge them or tell them what to do; my goal is to partner with them to make sure we get the most out of our 180 plus school days together. In advocating for my child I ask myself: What can I do to keep the learning going at home? What are my child’s weakest areas? How can I motivate my child to ensure that she is a good citizen in the classroom? After reflecting on what I know about my child, I ask my child’s teacher these same questions.

Here are three reasons why I value partnership with each of my children’s teachers:

• Advocacy - Teachers are the first to know if your child needs additional learning support outside the classroom (gifted education, an Individualized Education Program, etc.). They will be the first to provide a professional recommendation to the administration.
• Allyship - Teachers are the greatest allies for struggling students. Having a great teacher in your corner can do so much for your child. Many successful people think back to a teacher who believed in them when no one else did.
• Accountability - Teachers know what learning and social emotional goals each child is working toward. If there are goals that parents have for their child at home, teachers can often help especially if those goals are aligned with classroom rules.​

​Parent-teacher partnership comes in a variety of different forms in K12 education based on the needs of the child. Teachers can’t do it alone. The potential of a child’s success increases when all adult stakeholders work together for the benefit of the child. Start by by asking your child’s teacher what you can do at home to improve their performance at school? Then reassure your child’s teacher that you’re willing to do your part to support your child’s educational growth and social emotional development. Remember that teamwork makes the dream work but partnership works best when the lines of communication are open. ​

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Read More About Parent-Teacher Teamwork:

• Successful Parent Teacher Conferences
• Remember Positive Feedback and Advocacy in Schools
• A Parenting Lesson on Agency
• Increase Your K12 Parent Participation
• Dear Teachers