The new school year brings with it many challenges: a new classroom environment, new, often more challenging, subjects, and most importantly—a new teacher. When approaching your student’s new teacher, it is very important to foster a healthy line of communication.
Effective ways to communicate with your child’s teacher include making the teacher aware that you are interested and invested in your child’s education, finding out and utilizing the best ways to contact your student’s teacher, and giving the teacher information on your student that will help him or her better get to know your child.
The start of a new school year is an excellent time to begin effective communication with your student’s new teacher. Here are three ways to effectively communicate with your child’s teacher this school year:
Communication strategy #1: Let the teacher know that you are keen to be involved
When the school year begins, let your student’s teacher know that you are invested in your child’s education and success this year. Show your interest in a positive and curious way—most teachers will appreciate your genuine involvement. Inquire about how grades are tracked, and how you can best keep on top of your student's schoolwork this year. For example, grades are often tracked online. You can ask how often these are updated, and use this as a way to monitor your child’s success. There may also be a class syllabus online where you can stay up-to-date on any upcoming tests or projects. Inquiring early about coursework can streamline the communications process for the rest of the year.
Another suggestion is to show appreciation for your child’s teacher. He or she does a great deal of work in fostering your student’s educational future, and recognizing this can go a long way in promoting healthy communication between you and the teacher.
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Communication strategy #2: Find the best way to contact the teacher, and use this to your advantage
Often, the teacher has specific methods for contact with parents. This may be through email, phone calls, or a communications system put in place by the school (such as a mass messaging system). Whatever it may be, inquire with your student’s teacher to find the best way to contact him or her with any concerns or questions. The teacher will appreciate you taking the initiative to find out what way works best for you to reach out. It also helps you know how to get the most efficient response from your teacher.
You may have questions in the evenings or on weekends, and it can be helpful to know how the teacher wishes to be reached during off hours. Emergency concerns do come up with students, and often occur at inopportune times. Therefore, knowing how to reach your teacher when issues like these arise can be key.
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Communication strategy #3: Provide information that will help the teacher better know your child
Communicating information about your student to his or her new teacher can be instrumental to your child’s success in the classroom. Discuss any:
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strengths
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weaknesses
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areas where you can see your child benefiting from improvement.
Being open with your student’s teacher about these areas can not only help your child get the most out of his or her education this school year, but can also showcase to the teacher your willingness to be involved in the educational journey and to have an open line of communication.
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It’s important to remember that if issues begin to arise with your student in class, don’t assume the teacher is aware of the problem. Be open with any concerns you might be having regarding any aspect of your student's educational experience. Promoting effective communication with your child’s teacher on all fronts can help make this school year a great one.
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