As Back to School season starts, many students will have an opportunity to meet their teacher(s) before the first day of school. Here are five tips for students, families and care givers to have a successful school start!
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As an educator with 18+ years of experience, Meet the Teacher was always a highlight for me.
Here are 5 tips to help you have a great Meet the Teacher:
Be positive!
- The language you use about your child's teacher, school and classmates will be the language your child uses in school. Being excited and positive about the new year will help your child to feel the same way.
- IDEA Have your child write a note or make a card for their new teacher(s).
- The language you use about your child's teacher, school and classmates will be the language your child uses in school. Being excited and positive about the new year will help your child to feel the same way.
Be an advocate!
- Meet the Teacher won't be the time to discuss your individual child's needs mainly due to educational privacy laws and discussing this information in front of other families. But you can sign up for a conference or a phone call. Your child's teacher may ask about your child's learning styles and personality, but if they don't, an email or phone call from you is okay.
- IDEA Discuss with your child how they learn best and try to create that learning environment at home for them. Do they like to listen to music? Do they like to be outside? Do they like it quiet? Do they like to read out loud? Etc.
- Meet the Teacher won't be the time to discuss your individual child's needs mainly due to educational privacy laws and discussing this information in front of other families. But you can sign up for a conference or a phone call. Your child's teacher may ask about your child's learning styles and personality, but if they don't, an email or phone call from you is okay.
Be involved!
- Join PTS/PTSA and be sure all of your contact information is up to date. First week of school paperwork may be sent home and it may be at Meet the Teacher. Look for school communication via principal calls, teacher emails, school social media pages and talking points. Know your parent access to Skyward and Canvas. Watch for after-school events at the school level and county level.
- IDEA Look for one opportunity to attend a school event as a family.
- Join PTS/PTSA and be sure all of your contact information is up to date. First week of school paperwork may be sent home and it may be at Meet the Teacher. Look for school communication via principal calls, teacher emails, school social media pages and talking points. Know your parent access to Skyward and Canvas. Watch for after-school events at the school level and county level.
Be in tune!
- Ask how your child feels about school starting, starting new classes, meeting new people. Discuss strategies for making new friends. At Meet the Teacher, try to meet one new friend for your child. Talk about feelings they may have like nervousness, anxiety, stress, excitement etc.
- IDEA Read a book about the start of school together to help start a discussion. Here is a list to get you started.
- Ask how your child feels about school starting, starting new classes, meeting new people. Discuss strategies for making new friends. At Meet the Teacher, try to meet one new friend for your child. Talk about feelings they may have like nervousness, anxiety, stress, excitement etc.
Be supportive!
- Your child, your child's teacher, your child's school staff and you all have the same goal - to help your child succeed. Does your child's teacher have an Amazon wish list? Can you purchase an item from it? Help your child navigate the school, especially if it is new to them. Support them by being patient and understanding with how daunting a new route or new location can be for a child. Be present during Meet the Teacher so your child knows they have your full support during this time.
- IDEA Pick out an item together for your child's teacher or bring in a few extra supplies for fellow classmates if money allows. Have a talk with your child about what your support would look like to them.
- Your child, your child's teacher, your child's school staff and you all have the same goal - to help your child succeed. Does your child's teacher have an Amazon wish list? Can you purchase an item from it? Help your child navigate the school, especially if it is new to them. Support them by being patient and understanding with how daunting a new route or new location can be for a child. Be present during Meet the Teacher so your child knows they have your full support during this time.
Hope these tips help you and your family! I would love for your to share this with your friends and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter.
