1. Why ask for complaints?
We teachers frequently hear the negative and assume that every parent is unhappy. That quick text message with the angry tone that we got when Johnny missed the bus, the email that was sent to the principal when your child was bullied at recess, and the gossip at the softball field about which teachers are "too strict" makes us leary. We constantly hear when something is going awry, so we anticipate parental discontent. Teachers sometimes close the communication gate as a survival technique because we view parents as our greatest adversaries and eye-roll the public relations game that we have to play. "Keep the parents in the dark and they have less to criticize," can become the motto by the end of the year.
2. Why do I have to explain my decisions?
Just because you have been to a hospital doesn't mean that you know how to be a doctor, but every parent has ideas on how a classroom should be organized, the amount of homework a teacher should give, where their child should sit in class, and the best way to evaluate learning. I was afraid that if I invited parent scrutiny, that I would also have to justify every classroom decision. Who has time for that?
3. Why would I care what parents think?
Yes, teachers can be that arrogant. I thought parents would be happier if I just gave no challenging work, did art projects all day, watched movies, and doled out A+ grades like candy. If parents disliked challenging expectations then we were at odds. I was a professional, after all, not Mary Poppins! I was so wrong...
The Truth
Teachers need to open channels for both positive and negative feedback from students and parents! Not only do I pass out my home phone number now on the first day of school, but I give an anonymous digital survey to parents at the end of every school year. The feedback has changed my perspective. Parents have great suggestions and insight. They see our classrooms from an outside perspective--an important parent one! I learned that they are worried and overworked. They want to help their children succeed, but they don't have the discipline or knowledge to be effective. Many of them, the ones who rarely speak up, are thankful for your time, dedication, and professionalism. They do think you make a positive difference!
And I learned that I need them. Because of their feedback, I will spend more time helping parents sign up for email alerts from Skyward and Accelerated Reader. I'll explain where to find those review resources for our math program, and send home test dates a little sooner. I will answer their evening phone calls and stay every night after school to help their child complete make-up work. I discovered that parents appreciated my challenging classroom, relied heavily on my frequent communication, and loved our Bloomz photostream. They also want what is best for their children who they know best. I am a better teacher because of parental input You should give it a try.
