CREATING A POSITIVE PARENT-TEACHER RELATIONSHIP By Rosheen Hunter
1. Be a partner with the teacher
• Get to know the teacher right away (introduce yourself and your child)
• Begin communication with a positive attitude (approach the teacher with a positive attitude, even if you have had some negative experiences with school in the past)
2. Get comfortable with the school and the teacher
• Chat with the teacher (this will allow you to get to know each other better and make communication easier when it is time to have a more formal parent-teacher conference)
• Join an activity or program for parents at the school (attend Open House or other parent meetings, volunteer in the classroom, and if you are a working parent, plug into activities that will fit your schedule)
3. Feel free to make the first contact with the teacher
• Parents should feel comfortable with starting off communication with their child’s teacher (this is especially important if your child has had some difficulties in the past)
• Ask the teacher what is the best way and time to contact them (notes, phone calls, email)
4. Communicate with the teacher early
• This will give you enough time to help your child deal with any problems they may be experiencing.
5. Keep the lines of communication open
• Work with the teacher to decide on what method of communication would be easiest and most helpful
• Will allow you to better provide the specific help your child needs
• Discuss and agree on what concerns and problems may need to be monitored
• For more serious problems, you may need to have daily contact through a school-home note program; weekly feedback may be enough for less severe concerns
6. Follow through with what you said you would do
• For example, if you agreed to check your child’s papers coming home, do this consistently, and be sure to let the teacher know if you are unable to do what was agreed upon
Rosheen Hunter is an Unlimited Mom, a teacher and acting principal in a diverse school near Detroit, MI. Five years ago, her school adopted a multiage concept of teaching, which has proved to be a big success. Rosheen’s vision is to be the best teacher she can be – in building a community among students and teachers that promotes tolerance and acceptance. Her dream is to one day consult other teachers on the benefits and principles of multiage classrooms.
