I’m delighted to share with you an article I’ve written for Families® magazine!
In my Facebook group Ask a Teacher, we always have a number of members stating that they don’t want to be ‘that’ parent with regard to expressing their concerns to teachers.
I’m here, as a teacher, to tell you that teachers want you to be ‘that’ parent! Overwhelmingly, teachers go into the profession because they have a caring nature and love working with children. Yes, part of that is about teaching ABCs and long division and Henry VIII’s wives, but the real joy, the real satisfaction, comes from getting to know a wonderful group of students and supporting them to grow and blossom as learners and young people.
It’s definitely not the work-life balance!
This means teachers are interested in the well-being of the whole child. We want to know if they had a bad day yesterday, or if something important is happening at home like a new sibling or a death in the family. Working together is absolutely the best way to ensure your child flourishes at school and at home – particularly post-pandemic and given the circumstances children have been subjected to in the last year.
If you have an issue or concern, approach your child’s class teacher first. This is the person who knows them best and spends the most time with them. Even if the concern is with that teacher, it’s best to make this your first approach. There may be a very simple explanation that will alleviate your concerns and going straight to the Head Teacher might cause your child’s teacher to feel undermined or ‘told’ on. Maintaining a good relationship with your child’s class teacher is key.
Occasionally, there may be a good reason why your child’s class teacher can’t solve a particular problem or are struggling themselves in some way. If this is the case, it may be appropriate to arrange to speak to a member of the school’s senior management. It’s important to remain sensitive to the position of your child’s class teacher in any such conversation of this nature. If your concern is urgent, you may need to speak to someone straight away. Mornings are busy and not always convenient, but you could try grabbing a teaching assistant or calling the school and asking for your child’s teacher to call you. If it’s non-urgent, ask to speak after school or book an appointment. Important issues should be discussed face to face in an ideal world.
I hope you found this informative and reassuring – remember, communication is key. Creating a triangle of communication between yourself as the parent, your child, and the teacher is a really positive step.
Join the discussion on Ask a Teacher – I’d love to hear from you!
If you’re interested in supporting your child by gaining a larger understanding of Phonics, Grammar, Calculations, the Reception class, or Year 1 class, I hold parent workshops for just that – check out the details here.
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Check out Families® magazine! for a fun-packed guide to Summar; plan a great escape – whether a camping trip, the perfect family weekend away or a family-friendly UK city visit.
Find out about summer camps for your child, enjoy al fresco dining recipes that the kids will love and inspire your kids with DIY Father’s Day ideas. Plus win a family holiday, outdoor toys or a week at a residential summer camp for your child!
Packed full of suggestions, activities and entertainment options, you can rely on Families’ informative articles on education, health and wellbeing and family life. We’re back on page 5 to explain why teachers want you to be ‘THAT’ parent.
Families has all the information you need for a summer of fun, carefully selected, curated and presented in one magazine.
