As children return to school, those who study the relationship between parents and teachers say that relationship is important. Brooke Gill is the senior director of Family Engagement Policy and Practice with the Prichard Committee.
In an interview with Eastern Standard, Gill said she understands parents and teachers are busy. She said if parents reach out to teachers, it can be a big help.
“Email your kid’s teacher, introduce yourself, “Hey, I’m so and so, you’re gonna have my kid next year, here is some ways that I can support you and the classroom. You know I can’t attend a lot of the PTA meetings and I’m not available for a lot of those evening activities.””
Gill said for teachers, a simple welcome goes a long way.
“Calling families and welcoming them to the school. “Hey, I’m so and so, I’m going to be your seventh grader’s math teacher, and here is what I really like about teaching, and this is my sixth year doing it.” Just getting to know each other on that human-to-human level.”
Gill said this will open the door for the teachers to engage the parents and ultimately will help students. More with Brooke Gill from the Prichard Committee can be heard on Eastern Standard, on WEKU.
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