1.
Avoid Personal
Agendas
Every Parent wants to see their child in
the spotlight and to achieve all they can.
In essence, every parent wants their child to be the best. The teacher wants the exact same thing, but
for thirty-five students, not just one.
With that goal in mind the teacher takes into consideration the
strengths and weaknesses of each student in order to make sure everyone
succeeds.
Volunteers need to come in and assist
the teacher in achieving their agenda.
They may be asked to read a story or help setup a presentation or even assist
the children with a hands-on project.
Whatever it is, the goal is to help free up
the teacher so they can get other much needed things accomplished. The teacher may need some one-on-one time
with a student, time to grade papers or make lesson plans, or simply a break to
get another cup of coffee. Parents who
come in and volunteer give the teacher a much needed commodity - time, and that
needs to be their only agenda.
2.
Assistance,
Not Advice
This doesn’t mean a parent can’t offer a
suggestion. However, don’t try to
rewrite everything the teacher does.
Educators have the training and experience to see the class through to
the end of the year. The teacher needs
an extra set of hands, not a constant questioning of what they are doing. As volunteers, parents are the teacher’s
assistants, helping to accomplish the lesson plans she has turned in.
3.
Remain
Positive
A teacher facing the difficult task of
getting thirty-five students to comprehend something at the same time does not
need negativity. They need encouragement
and to be surrounded by positive people.
A negative person can topple the morale of those they are around faster
than lightening can strike.
Now, everyone can have a bad day. However, on those days when a volunteer just doesn’t
believe they can be positive about anything, there is nothing wrong with taking
a day off. Not only will the negativity
wear thin on the teacher, but it will disrupt the students. Children are sensitive to the emotions of
others and the tendency for them is to adopt the attitude of those around them. When working with children it is important to
strive to remain upbeat.
Furthermore, do not be critical of the
students. Little ears can be anywhere
and it is amazing what they hear.
Besides, you could be talking to the parent of one of those kids you’re
talking about without knowing it.
Suddenly, you’re in an embarrassing situation.
This also means don’t be critical of the
teacher or the school in front of your children. If a parent criticizes the educator in front
of the student, it lowers the respect level for the teacher in that child’s
mind. Once the child sees the parents
against the school in a vocal way, they usually become a discipline problem
because they no longer have respect for the school. Instead, keep the teacher built up in the eyes
of the child. The student needs to know
that the parent respects the position and authority of the school staff. If you have a concern, take it to the teacher
in a proper way and away from little ears.
4.
Show Appreciation
Everyone loves to be appreciated. For some people it’s a necessity. Being a teacher can quite often be a thankless
profession, so make sure to take the time this year to send your teacher a note
saying how much you appreciate what they are doing for your child.
I remember whenever people would drop me
a note and how that would turn a bad day into a bright one. I keep those gems in a small box and when I’m
feeling a self pity day coming on, I’ll pull it out and thumb through them
reminding myself that the black cloud will soon blow over. Be that wind of affirmation for your child’s
teacher. Send them a note letting them
know how much their efforts mean to you as a parent. Everyone needs a pat on the back once in
awhile.
5.
A Show of Respect
On top of appreciation, give the teacher
respect. No one appreciates it when
other people waste their time and I know it annoys me when people drop in on my
doorstep out of the blue. Therefore, you
should respect the teacher enough not to do it to them. If a need arises and you really need to speak
with the teacher, call ahead and schedule an appointment. Unless it’s a real emergency don’t call your
child’s teacher at home. They have a
right to a life outside of school.
Furthermore, when parent-teacher night
rolls around have a list ready of questions or topics you wish to discuss, so
that time is not wasted. You should
always view concerns as opportunities for improvement and not judgments against
your child. Everyone is there for the
benefit of the students and that only happens when everyone cooperates with
each other.
Parents need to be involved in their children’s
school, and teachers need the help as well as the extra eyes and hands. Most of all, however, children need the
benefit of all working together. Yet, if
a parent becomes more of a hindrance that the teacher wishes to avoid, then the
children will be the ones to ultimately suffer.
Sign up to be a volunteer this year, but be one that helps pave the way
instead of one who causes roadblocks.
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