by Jennifer W.

Created on: August 28, 2007   Last Updated: November 15, 2010

As a teacher myself, I know how important it is for parents to show an interest in their child's education. Too many parents in today's world view public education as a sort of free day care so that they can live their lives and not have to worry about their children. This is how teachers have become the teacher, parent, counselor, nurse, and priest all in one. When a parent approaches his/her child's teacher and asks for extra help, most teachers will welcome the questions.

First, make sure that you ask at an appropriate time. First thing before the bell rings in the morning for class to begin may not be the best time to have the teacher's undivided attention. This time is usually filled with making sure the students have turned in their homework and are not spilling the contents of their book bag outside the bathroom door. Set up a meeting either during the teacher's planning time during the school day, or at the end of the school day. This will enable the teacher to be able to provide you with appropriate attention to your questions and to provide applicable advice. Setting up the meeting in advance will also allow the teacher to be prepared to discuss your child with you.

Second, make sure you approach the teacher in a respectful manner. Appealing to their knowledge of the curriculum and education world will get you much more advice and help than swinging around a stack of failed homework assignments and demanding to know what is going on. (that discussion may best be had with the child. Actually, if it's homework that the child is failing, maybe you'd better ask yourself that question.) As the saying goes, you catch more flies with honey.

Third, make sure you have in mind the solution or a version of a solution that you would like to see. Is the problem little Sallie who sits next to your child and is a constant distraction? Maybe a change in seating arrangement would help. Is the problem that you don't understand the homework to help your child? Maybe borrowing one of the text books would help. If the problem is poor grades and you simply want help to have your child bring those grades up, be open to any suggestions the teacher provides.

Finally, follow through. Once you have met the teacher, discussed the issue and come up with one or several options for solving the problem, make sure you do your part. Read the textbook you got to bring home. Triple check your child's planner/homework if that's what it takes. Effort on your part as the parent will prove to the teacher that you do want to pull your own weight in this, and will prove invaluable in getting additional ideas out of the teacher until the issue is truly solved.

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