Word: teacheres
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...while she views social class as a major factor in shaping the dynamic, Lareau finds that race continues to play a role. Middle-class black parents, especially those who attended segregated schools, often approach the teacher with caution. Roughly 90% of teachers are white and middle class, and, says Lareau, many black parents are "worried that teachers will have lowered expectations of black children, that black boys will be punished more than white boys. Since teachers want parents to be positive and supportive, when African-American parents express concerns about racial insensitivity, it can create problems in their relationship...
...Remember the F word: focus. The aim of a parent-teacher conference is for adults to build a mutually respectful alliance that will support a child's sometimes difficult journey through school...
...Share insider information. Tell the teacher what you know about your child as a learner. You know what your child loves and hates about school, what motivates your child, what has worked with teachers in the past. Also tell the teacher about your hopes and fears for your child. That information can help a teacher fine-tune instruction or interactions to be more effective. It builds the relationship between the adults when parents can share some of their own feelings about their child's future...
...report card as a jumping-off point, not as the centerpiece of the discussion. Turn any review of grades into an opportunity to get the teacher's more detailed observations about what's working and what's not for your child. Do not dwell on the grade itself, and do not attempt to pressure a teacher to change a grade, especially at a conference. (If you believe there is a real issue of injustice, take it to an administrator.) Remember, an A student won't die from getting a B, nor will a B student suffer irreparable harm from getting...
...Leave your own school baggage at home. We all have memories of teachers and classes that made us miserable. Set those aside and approach your child's teacher as a peer and partner. Assume a teacher wants to see your child succeed in school and in life--just as you do. The respect you show a teacher is contagious and will find its way back to your child...