Productive Partnerships: Parents & Teachers Need to Work Together
By JOHNA UNDERWOOD
Recently, it seems we are finding more areas for discord; the classroom is no exception. It can easily feel that school has become another “us versus them” situation — the school versus the parents. Yet research proves that parental involvement in students’ academic lives can give students a more positive view of their own potential and lead to greater success. Parents and teachers need to work together to build productive partnerships for the benefit of our students.
Creating a working partnership with your student’s teacher can start simply. Be sure parent contact information is up to date and that you know the best way to contact your child’s teacher. Sign in to your student’s classroom apps, like Parent Portal, Remind, Google Classroom, Classroom Dojo, etc. Periodically checking student assignments, progress, behavior and attendance through these apps can provide parents a fuller picture of what students are learning and how their skills are progressing. Papers sent home can get lost in the black hole of student backpacks. These additional electronic means of communication keep parents aware of important schoolwide happenings and specific classroom activities, such as parent-teacher conference days. As students get older, teachers will often send out reminders regarding important assignments and tests, or post calendars and syllabuses. When parents help older students check these updates and plan accordingly, students create greater ownership of learning.
Partnerships between teachers and parents work best if they start from a place of positivity. We often think of meet-the-teacher night as a chance for our students to get acclimated to their new learning environments. While this is true, the beginning of the school year is filled with excitement and possibility for teachers and parents too. It is a good opportunity to begin productive collaboration, allowing parents and teachers to meet face to face, exchange information and outline both parent and classroom expectations.
Early communication helps to establish a productive relationship for the rest of the year. For example, it can be helpful to know that a parent’s work schedule may vary, or they may not always be available to take phone calls at work, so email is a better way to be contacted. However, meet-the-teacher night does not usually allow for more than brief conversations. If you have questions or wish to convey in-depth information about your student, don’t hesitate to reach out with an email, phone call or even ask for a parent/teacher conference. Even seemingly small pieces of information can lead to more effective communication.
Currently, the most contentious educational conflicts seem to arise over curriculum concerns. Teachers craft lessons based on the knowledge and skills students need to master (standards usually established by the state), data that shows where individual students are thriving or struggling, and student interest. Teachers spend most of their time outside the classroom, including summer break, crafting and revising these lessons. Teachers, therefore, are often emotionally invested in the work they create. Likewise, parents rightfully have strong feelings about what their students learn. Both parties want students to be successful, but strong emotions on both sides can sometimes create miscommunication between parents and teachers. Establishing positive working alliances early allows for parents to be more aware of what will be taught throughout the year. If a curriculum question arises, these established relationships can also lead to conversations about why teachers have chosen to teach certain standards in certain ways and allow parents space to voice their concerns. The goal, of course, is that these conversations result in student learning growth.
Establishing positive relationships early in the year creates a system of support for our students. As the saying goes, “it takes a village.” When schools and parents are working together, that village can help ensure student success.
Johna Underwood teaches English at Gatesville High School.
