Expert: James J. Kovalcin - 9/25/2005

Question
Mr.Kovalcin, I would like to thank you for answering my other questions the information was just what I was looking for. I have another question for you "What principles and techniques do you use for communicating with parents?" Thank You again for taking the time to answer me. Carla

Answer
I really don't communicate much with parents unless they initiate the contact. It is my feeling that the juniors and seniors I have should be treated primarily as adults and I make every effort to resolve any problems directly with the students involved. That isn't to say that occasionally I have to contact the parents. But that is usually a last resort. I know that many others will disagree with this approach because the trend in modern education has been to treat students of all ages as if they were infants and were incapable of making decisions on their own. This correlates with my approach to discipline as well. The teacher who relies on their administration to enforce discipline in the classroom has already given up any power.
In either case, authority has been given over to someone else.
Of course the parents are receiving reportcards and mid-marking period progress reports as mandated by our school administration.