Top Ten Secrets Your Child’s Teacher Wishes You Knew 

1. We love when you share details about your home life. Is there a new baby in the house? Did you move recently? Is there a new family dog, or is Grandpa in the hospital? Changes at home — even small ones — can affect your child, so it helps the teacher to know about them.

2. If we’re doing things differently than they were done last year, it doesn't mean we’re doing it wrong. Every teacher is different, and that's okay. 

3. If you have a concern, we appreciate you talking to us about it directly. Think of us as your teammates: together, we can ensure that your child has a fun and productive year. 

4. It takes a lot of courage for us to tell you that your child is struggling. Please take us seriously if we bring up a social, emotional, or academic concern. We are working with an entire class of children, and if your child’s needs stand out, please listen. Let’s work together to get your child the help he or she needs. 

5. If you call or send a message to us, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible, and definitely by the end of the next business day. A Saturday phone call or a 9PM email might not get an immediate response, however, because we have bedtimes, families, hula lessons, and hotdog eating contests, too! It helps us if you “bundle” your concerns into a single (at most) message per day.  

6. The older your child gets, the more they'll be expected to do on their own. Teachers want to foster independence, and you'll notice your child is handed more responsibility as they mature. 

7. Your appreciation goes a long way. We love our work, but teaching is a tough job. Parents who express their gratitude underestimate how far that really goes. We love hand-written cards from students and parents. Coffee and chocolate are always good for morale, too! 

8. We need your help! Teachers work hard to help your child learn and grow, but we need your support with homework and good attendance. 

9. Teachers are both experts and novices at the same time. We know...it’s confusing for us, too. No matter how long we have been teaching, every year is a new year for us. New students, new families, new goals, new challenges. We bring our experience and expertise with us, but it is still new. 

10. Teachers are only human beings, and we make mistakes. We have fears, concerns, and challenges all day long. Please be patient with us as we strive to grow and improve.