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The parent/teacher relationship is one that must be cultivated and handled with care. As a teacher myself, I can tell you that there have been parents in my past that I have both adored and abhorred. Every teacher can look back at past classes and remember with poignant accuracy those parents that they would have gladly sat down to have a cup of coffee with, and those that would cause them to hide behind a tower of toilet paper whenever catching a glimpse of them in the grocery store.

So what do you do to keep from becoming a teacher's worst nightmare? Here are some tips from a professional.

1) On your very first meeting with the teacher, be it the first day of school, or a chance meeting at the mall, smile and introduce yourself with a firm handshake. The handshake has forever been a part of our culture as a sign of goodwill and trust, and is a great first impression. Also make sure to mention the name of your student. You wouldn't want to have your great first impression confused with someone else's that may not have been so great!

2) Volunteer to help out with at least one event going on in your child's classroom, and then make sure to stick with it. Empty promises, or you forgetting, will be remembered, and not fondly.

3) Do NOT go on and on and on about your child's asthma, soccer expertise, tonsil surgery, beauty pageant success, etc. It's not that a teacher doesn't care, but instead loves to hear these things from the students, so let them have their time to share and shine. If it is necessary health information, tell the teacher the important points and your child's needs, and then leave it alone. Teachers are professionals, and it is our job to keep up on these things. Don't worry unless you are certain your child's needs aren't being met.

4) There are times when teachers have to make referrals so that your child can receive extra help, and help them to achieve to the best of their abilities. This is our job. PLEASE, do not take it personal. Do not take it as degrading to you, your parenting, or your child. DO listen to what the teacher has to say. DO ask for more information. DO go along with any testing or extra work that your teacher or district feels is necessary. It is a teacher's job to make sure that your child gets the help that he or she needs to succeed. Even if you don't go along with the idea, the testing will not in any way hurt or label your child, and you might be surprised with the results.

5) Communicate. The greatest issues between parents

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