Connect with Teachers Early to Transform Your Child’s School Year
As students across the country are putting on backpacks and learning new locker combinations, there is one very important step that parents should take to help start the school year strong: Connect with your child’s teacher.
Creating a real connection with your child’s teacher is a great way to enhance student learning outcomes. During the school year, students sit in front of their teachers for hours each day, learning about a variety of subjects like math, language, history, and science. Aside from parents, teachers have the most direct attention of their children throughout the day.
A Little Time Makes a Big Difference
Tanesha Newby, principal of East Arbor Charter Academy in Ypsilanti, Michigan, knows the impact of these relationships better than most. She’s seen the results in her school.
Several years ago, a first-grade teacher at Newby’s school made a point to call the parents of each of her students before school started to introduce herself and gather important information.
"She would simply ask 'is there anything you would like me to know about your child? Is there anything I should be prepared for when they come to school?’”
Parents loved the outreach, Newby said. She was able to learn the specific needs of her students before she met them in class for the first day. That special connection grew stronger throughout the school year and created genuine relationships, both with students and parents.
“Those kids are in seventh grade now, and they still go back and see her,” Newby added. “The parents talk about her and the impact she had on their children, and now they work to get their younger children in her room. She’s made that kind of connection with parents.”
Newby has shared that example with all her teachers for years, and it’s made a difference. The school was recently recognized for their efforts in an annual parent satisfaction survey hosted by National Heritage Academies® (NHA®), the school’s charter management company.
That parent partnership isn’t something new to schools within the NHA network. It’s an important part of the work done at each of the organization’s 105 schools.
Getting to Know Your Child
Director of School Quality (DSQ) Lori Hill supports six NHA schools in North Carolina. She understands the benefits of parent partnerships and the difference they make in young lives.
“Parents know their children in a way no one else does, and teachers get to know them as learners. When we bring those two perspectives together early, we have a much better opportunity to help a child be successful.
Hill said a parent can share things that might take a teacher weeks to discover, such as what motivates a child, what frustrates them, what they’re proud of, where they struggle, and even what has worked for them in the past.
“Great teachers work very intentionally to know their students, not just their test scores or grades, but who they are as individuals. When families are part of that process, teachers have a much fuller picture of the child. When a child realizes their parent and teacher are working together, that can be powerful.”
Partnership doesn't mean a parent has to be at school every week or attend every event, it means staying connected by asking questions, responding when the school reaches out, knowing how your child is progressing, and reinforcing the importance of learning at home.
At Greensboro Academy in North Carolina, Principal Tracey Duhaime believes interacting with parents in-person plays a significant role in developing good relationships. The school’s track record of connecting with families and students was one of the reasons it was recognized as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School recognition by the U.S. Department of Education.
“One thing that parents truly appreciate is our visibility,” Duhaime said. “Being outside at arrival and dismissal allows us the opportunity to meet and greet parents daily. Take the time to meet in person with parents or call them on the phone as opposed to email. Being present and pleasant are the key to creating a positive culture for staff and families.”
Real Stories, Real Connections
These efforts can be seen across the NHA network of partner schools, with parents who appreciate the connections they have with their children’s teachers.
“We appreciate all the communications from the leadership team, administrative team, and especially each of our children’s teachers,” one Canton Charter Academy parent noted in a recent survey. “We feel connected with all the events, recognition, and everything we need to take action on. The response time from each is great and almost immediate...It feels good to know our feedback is valued.”
An Inspire Charter Academy parent who is new to the community added, “This school has been a blessing! It is everything I could imagine in a healthy and caring environment for my little one. I love the consistency of communication and safety measures. I love the teacher dedication, and the parent-involved activities that are hosted.”
Relationships Help When Days are Difficult
Every child will have challenging days, but having a solid relationship with your child’s teacher can create peace of mind. It all starts with understanding the struggle before it affects the school day.
“Let’s say I learn a child is having a really rough morning,” Principal Newby said. “What I ask my teachers to do is keep an eye on that student throughout the day. Snap a picture when they see positive interaction happening and send it to the parent. That builds a connection and relationship that really starts with safety and trust.”
Creating a true connection between parents and teachers will improve the experience and outcomes for students. It also provides a little peace of mind for parents.