What Parents Can Do

Helping Parents Have Better working Relationships With Teachers & Principals

How to have a constructive conversation with a teacher

The first person with whom to raise a concern is your child's teacher.
In most secondary colleges, make an appointment to see your child's student-level co-ordinator.

Stay calm.

It is important to remain calm. Heated discussions mostly just generate heat rather than solutions. Your anxiety and feelings of anger are best controlled - try deep breathing and/or go for a power walk, a run or meditate.

Get the facts first.

Check out the story. If your child tells you something that concerns you, clarify what has happened as much as you can before approaching the school.

Write.

Write down your questions, issues, or concerns – preferably in dot points rather than an essay. Write down what is making you angry, on paper, just for you- then distill the main point/s, and by the second draft you might be more calm and clear.

There is no point in sending an email in anger to your child's teacher. Emails are not the way to have a conversation and are often misunderstood.

Make an appointment.

Arrange a time to speak with the teacher in person.

Do not try to talk about your concern in a busy classroom or corridor at drop-off or pick-up time.

By making an appointment, both you and the teacher can give each other the mutual respect for each other’s time as well as space to listen and talk.

“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance”. -Benjamin Franklin

What Do I Do Now?

Email us guide@schoolassist.com.au

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Kindly note: During COVID19 pandemic, in-person meetings are restricted