Parents must be advocates for their children, not only in school, but throughout life. Parents must realize that being their for their children goes beyond home, the playground, sports, graduating from high school and college. Education is a process that continues throughout life. Parenting goes beyond being the super parent at home and in the community. Children learn what they live.
Parents, who are educators and in the field can recognize effective teachers. For parents who are not in the field of education this may be a laborious assignment. Continuous communication with your child’s teacher, counselor and school is the key to success of your child at school.
Three characteristics of an effective teacher at any level:
1. The teacher must have a positive expectation for all students to be successful.
2. The teacher is very good and effective at classroom management.
3. The teacher is able to plan and design lesson plans for student mastery in any subject taught.
Parents must monitor student learning beyond the report cards, dinner table conversations, semester reports, and that infamous parent - teacher conference.Visit your child’s school and classroom often. Listen to your child’s day at school. Solicit the positive aspects of teaching and learning at school.
The key question should be. What did you learn today? How can you use that learning in your real life today and the future? Also, listen to the negative situations that happened at school. Teach children how to refer issues to the teacher, school counselor or their administrator to resolve. As a parent, you listen to the negative and follow up if needed.
Parents can request a conference anytime that they feel like their is a problem or concern involving their child that must be addressed. Parents should never sit back and think that the situation will improve itself. Parents must get and stay involved, join the PTA or PTO every year.
Teaching is like other professions
Teaching is a skill and a highly skilled craft. A teacher is an educational professional, just like a doctor or lawyer. A teacher has spent and will continue to spend many years to perfect their craft. A craft that takes years to master and years of professional development, dedication, commitment and continuous education. Effective teachers are life long learners, they seek out every opportunity to learn something new. Effective teachers look for ways to find learning fun and challenging for their students. Ask for the certification of your child’s teacher. Is your child’s teacher certified in the field in which they are teaching? If not, when will they complete that certification? Children first.
Teaching is about making modifications whether in a kindergarten classroom or a high school classroom. Modification is the key word to be able to address the needs of every student.
‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ - Nelson Mandela
Source:
“The First Days Of School,” By Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong
Comments