by Jaimela King

Created on: November 22, 2009   Last Updated: December 09, 2009

Perhaps the worst memory that an adult can have is that of a teacher he or she thought was "evil". This perception which stayed with the child into adulthood, could have been accurate to a point, or maybe, it could have been a result of a misconception. It could also have been the result of poor teacher-student communication.

Having a positive student-teacher relationship does not mean that the teacher has to be best friends with the student. Rather, the teacher-student relationship is one that makes it possible for the student to reach his full potential both in academic and emotional terms. It is, therefore, important for the parent to foster positive student-teacher relationships early.

Why foster positive relationships? Parents do need to take a hands-on approach in their children's education. Often many parents feel that this starts and ends with the help they give their child at home and the required visit to parent-teacher meetings. Positive student-teacher relationships is an added insurance that your child gets the full value of an education and that she does so in a healthy and fulfilling way.

The benefits of such a relationship can mean better grades, the ability to communicate easily with the teacher and benefit from additional counsel. Positive student-teacher relationships can go beyond the academic to personal development of the student. The student can gain higher or improved self esteem; it can minimize or eliminate bad behavior on the part of the student and create an overall atmosphere that is conducive to success.

By maintaining regular communication with the teacher, the parent can encourage positive student-teacher relationships. If the teacher does not know you and only sees you a few times a year, how much do you think the teacher will know your son or daughter? There is information that the parent can provide to the teacher, about the student, that would assist him in meeting the student's need.

The parent should be part of the student-teacher team. Teacher, student and parent can work together toward the same goal - the success of the student. There are always opportunities for parents to volunteer at school and especially at their child's classroom, on field trips and school field days. By making the time to participate in school activities the parent is seen as an active part of the team.

Encouraging the student to respect the teacher, to ask questions, to be polite and to have a positive attitude in school also helps the parent teacher relationship. Help the student to feel that he or she is a team member and has the right to access the skills and the knowledge the teacher has at her disposal. The teacher-student relationship can further be fostered by the parent, student and teacher meeting outside of the formal, school initiated meetings. It shouldn't take a conflict situation for a meeting to occur; rather the more informal type meetings are proactive and can reveal issues that need attention before it is too late.

Teaching a student to respect the teacher, the learning institution and his or her role as a learner, is key to maintaining positive teacher-student relationships. The parent can contribute significantly to the success of the student by actively supporting and contributing to, a positive student-teacher relationship.

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