Parents As Partners

Over the course of this semester there has been a common theme in the words of advice that we have received...

Get to know your students. 

So when we met with District C parents last week it was no surprise when they told us this was important to them. So when I think about getting to know my students, I know that one of the best ways to do so is to get to know their parents. Parents are such a valuable part of obtaining the information we need to know how best to educate our students. They know their children, what they are going through, and how to get through to them. 

As teachers we have to make the effort to get involved in the community we teach in. As Principal J said last week....

"Teaching is not a job, it's a lifestyle."

This really resonated with me. It is such a realistic look at our profession. We are one of the major influences in the lives of our students. Their needs are not based on 9-5 clock in, clock out type schedule. We must be there for them when they need us, even if that means interacting with them outside of school. Principal J and others at District C have told us so many stories of how becoming personally invested in their students' lives has had enormous benefits. Not every job, has you making house calls, but in this profession, if that what it takes to get through to a student and make a positive change in their education, then it is our moral obligation to do so. And for this reason parents are such a valuable resource.

Parent and Family Engagement: Click Here for Link