Tips for Teachers to Work With Parents

Posted by teacher on September 25, 2006

• Contact parents early on and before a problem occurs, particularly when there’s good news to report;
• Consider writing a weekly newsletter or report on classroom learning and activities;
• Invite parents to come into the classroom and assign them tasks if they are willing;
• Involve them in reading groups and remedial assistance when possible, being aware that all parents may not read or write English;
• Let parents know how they can reinforce classroom learning at home; consider asking them to sign a contract requiring them to make children complete homework and other home learning activities;
• Visit families in their homes if possible to see firsthand how well learning is supported there;
• Address parents’ concerns head on. If you are taking a pedagogical approach that raises questions, work to show parents the benefits of your methods and explain your reasoning to them; and
• Hold a parent meeting the first month of the school year in which you talk about your expectations for student achievement and behavior, leave time for questions, and if you don’t know the answer promise to call soon with one.