The pre-school classes in our school district require parental involvement through volunteering in the classroom. It is a great program that gives parents the opportunity to observe and interact with their child and other children in a school setting. The premise being that the educational setting and the teacher as a model will help parents with educational and discipline techniques at home. And it works! It is wonderful to hear stories from the parents about how they used something they observed in the pre-school classroom to help their child/children at home. And the children in the classroom benefit most of all! It is thoroughly heartwarming to see the joy on a child’s face when their mom or dad comes in to help.
Although guidelines are clearly stated before parents begin volunteering, there are some parents whose actions tend to weaken the goals of the program and criticize about having to volunteer in the classroom. There are others who express adverse opinions. And then, there are those parents who question EVERYTHING you do. We have no problem explaining what and why we do what we do in the classroom, but it is disheartening at times when it feels like you are continually having to defend the career choice that you love to a parent whose child is benefitting the most in your classroom!
BUT we do know that a parent is a child’s first teacher and we are very thankful that most parents are more than happy to share their child with us for a school year. J
That being said, please take the time to watch the video clip that shows how important a parent is in a child’s life and let us know what you think.
Should teachers have an open door policy for parents to come in to volunteer in the classroom or not?
Have a great week! Off for a week and switching hats to assume a parent role to attend my son’s wedding! (I promise to be a positive parent and behave!) LOL!
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