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You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Special Education > Teaching Advice > parent teacher communication
Expert: Marilyn Robb
Date: 7/14/2005
Subject: parent teacher communication
Question
Thank you for responding so quickly. I do see from your profile that you are not a teacher or administrator. However, since your expertise is with children and education, I thought you might have suggestions for parents on what is important to know about the child's schooling or how to discuss issues, whether difficult or commonplace, with teachers. Thank you for volunteering your expertise with parents. As a parent, as well as a teacher, I know it is sometimes comforting to hear another voice, especially one with your credentials. I appreciate your time. Robin Farr
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Followup To
Question -
Hello,
I am a high school teacher in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. I am also a writer. Presently, I am drafting an article on parent teacher communication, a subject much discussed at teacher lunch tables and family dinner tables. The thrust of the article is preparing parents to talk to teachers…productively. This is a bit of a departure. Usually, the coaching is directed toward the teacher. In the article, I want to include anecdotes or ideas from teachers and administrators. What would you recommend to parents on opening a productive dialogue with a teacher? What benefits will this reap? Do you have an anecdote of a communication gone wrong? Or right?
We have all been in situations where a parent for no evident reason starts out ready for battle. Unless we keep our tempers cool and remain objective, the situation worsens. In the article, I will address ways in which parents can approach teachers to avoid such confrontations and include teacher perspective on common issues, such as “My teacher said….” and “My teacher hates me.”
In my effort to reach readers through example and insight of professional educators, I am asking you to share your knowledge and experience. If I use your information, I will include your name, title, and school district. In addition, I will inform you of publication. Thank you for your time. I hope your summer is restful and satisfying.
Sincerely,
Robin Farr
Answer -
Dear Robin
Thanks for your question. However as you can see from my details I am not a teacher nor administrator in the US , so I do not think that I am able to respond to this.
I wish you luck with your writing.
Dr.Marilyn Robb
Answer
Hi Robin
ok, here is my perspective both as a parent and an educational consultant to educators and others.
When I meet with teachers I focus on the relationship the teacher has with the student rather than on the marks that the child got on a test. Part of why I do this is to put some of the emphasis on the social and emotional aspects of teaching and learning which we tend to ignore ,but which we know are as important for meaningful and effective learning as the cognitive. I try to remind the teachers that having a positive attitude to the child and expressing high expectations of him/her are efective motivators. I take the direction away from the usual 'looking at the negative and what should have been done better, etc' ; or from placing the blame solely on the child's shoulder and punishing for not performing academically.
I also try to talk with the teacher to notice the uniqueness of the child and his/her learning stylyes and ability and help them to come up with strategies that they could use to support the child's learning.
Finally I find ways to praise the teacher and remind him that he is doing a good job. That is an important contradiction to the attitude they get all around them,which adds to their discouragement and despair and makes it hard for them to remember the joy of their jobs and how significant they are.
You can check some of my thoughts on this subject,especially on social and emotional learning , at my sites: www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/social_emotional_learning
and www.ajoyfulplace.com
Hope this helps.
Dr.Marilyn Robb
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