Parents and teachers are a team! It is crucial that parents and teachers work together to ensure that the needs of students are supported. There are many simple ways that parents can show support for teachers. Read on for some ideas!
Be Present
Being present is such a simple way to show teachers that you support them! When parents attend back to school nights and school/classroom events sends the message that they are open to building supportive relationships. It warms my heart when my self-contained families are represented at school events!
Communicate
Keeping lines of communication open between home and school is so important. Many teachers send home daily communication logs. (I translate forms for my ELL parents, as needed.) It may sound simple, but a quick way to support the teacher is to read the log, and respond as needed! Additionally, I use ClassDojo to communicate with parents. ClassDojo is a free website and app that allows teachers and parents to send messages and photos directly to each other. It is super helpful when parents take the time to send me a message about their child. It could be a story about something they did over the weekend, how the kiddo is feeling, or a heads up about an issue. Having that extra info communicated makes me feel so supported!
Advocate
As a parent, you are the expert on your child. When it comes to annual review meetings for IEPs, you have the chance to make your voice heard. So, don’t be afraid to speak up for what you feel your child needs! By doing so, you support not only your child, but their teacher, too. We all want what is best for kids, and working together can help us achieve the best outcomes.
Appreciate
Nothing warms a teacher’s heart more than hearing kind words from parents and students. One of the best ways a parent can show support to their child’s teacher is by showing appreciation for what they do in the classroom. Teaching can be really tough sometimes. I keep a folder of all of the nice notes I have received from parents and students over the years. On the hard days, I read them for a little pick-me-up. These sweet words of support remind me why I do what I do!
As you can see, it is simple to show support for teachers. A positive home-school connection can be forged as a result of these small actions. That’s a win-win for everyone! Parents, what are some other ways that you have shown support for your child’s teachers? Share your ideas in a comment!
