Being Your Child's Advocate at School

We all want what is best for our children.
Sometimes that desire takes us to our child’s school.
To be your child’s advocate, you have to start by respecting what the teachers and administrators are trying to accomplish in their world.
What are their main goals for the year? Find out what makes the principal happy.
Seeing life from the perspective of the teacher and administrators will take you a long way in having a voice in your child’s school culture.
Begin by being part of the team.
Remember that each teacher has 25 or 30 students; all with individual talents and needs. Teachers often welcome help. Having parents around who are paying attention is a blessing.
Make a contribution.
Volunteer to serve. It doesn’t have to be a big, time-consuming task. Simply do what you love, passionately and generously.
Show up just for fun once in awhile. You child will love unexpected company at lunch time, for instance. Plus, it will give you a chance to put names and faces with fellow students.
Keep in mind that your child is your priority.
Gently remind the teachers and principal that your focus is always first and foremost the well-being of your own child. This is actually good news for the teacher. While they may be over-worked and underpaid, teachers don’t want any kiddoes falling through the cracks. If they trust you, they will be glad to see you when you show up at school.
Don’t wait until you are mad.
Often parents make the mistake of waiting until there is already a problem and hurt feelings.
Of course, if you are mad and feeling self-righteous, you will only be viewed as an adversary, rather than a friend. Especially, if it is your first visit all year.
View problems as information gathering opportunities.
You can bet that if you come to the school with questions and a gentle attitude, you will get the information that will help you deal with the problem.
Hang in there.
Sometimes, in spite of your best efforts, you run into the brick wall of bureaucracy. Remember that the teacher and the principal are bound by district policies and state and federal laws. Sometimes the policies are just as impractical and burdensome to the teacher as they are to you and your child, so show some compassion.
With all the adults working in your child’s best interests, creativity will often result in solutions. But, that’s only if you are perceived as a team member and not the enemy.

Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are welcome at http://checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.