Teaching Tips

As teachers, so often it feels like we have to do it all. The backgrounds and experiences of our students vary, and we often feel like physicians trying to diagnose and treat. Teachers play many roles; parent figure, nurse, and sometimes even a counselor.

Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and it's one of the most important things for a teacher to develop with their students. Here's how to build trust with students and create a healthy classroom environment for learning.

A little preparation can set the stage for a more open and productive conversation with parents. They may be noticing the same troubling signs in their teen at home, or you may have a perspective that is new to parents.  Either way, your goal should be to come from a place of caring and concern, and keep the focus on working together to connect the family with the best possible resources to help the student.

At the beginning of every year I make a promise to my students and parents that I will not yell at my students. I make this promise at back to school/meet the teacher night and I tend to get a range of reactions from the parents to this promise–some parents show relief while other parents show disbelief.

One of the great struggles of modern education is getting students to finish their homework. Even worse, when homework does get completed, students often lack the understanding of the subject matter to perform well. So, teachers have two issues to face when it comes to homework. On the one hand, teachers do want their students to turn in their homework.

Your child’s teacher is perhaps the only person who spends a lot of time with her every day except for you. It is important that you are in touch with her at all times. Positive involvement with the teacher can improve the child’s performance in both the academic and emotional sphere.