Top Teacher Tips for a Successful School Year

The start of another school year is upon us! 

No doubt you’ve stocked up on pencils and a rainbow of pocket folders. 
The kids have brand-new sneakers or a snazzy new lunchbox or backpack. 
You’ve filled out the endless forms and read notes from your child’s teacher/s. 
Those of you sending them back in person after 18 months of home schooling may even have some champagne on ice for toasting your triumphant return to some well-earned peace and quiet at home during the weekdays. 

But the preparations don’t stop there. I’ve polled teachers at all levels (preschool, elementary, middle and high school) to find out what, beyond the obvious stuff of buying supplies and communicating with the school, parents can do to ensure a successful school year. Even after 13+ years at this school-age parenting thing, I learned a few things I could be doing better.

Here’s what they said:

For younger kids (preschool through elementary)

• Practice using the restroom and other basic hygiene - It may not have occurred to your that teachers cannot always help your child with some of the most basic stuff for a variety of reasons. Teach your child how much toilet paper to use; how to wipe properly; proper hand washing; blowing their nose on their own and disposing of the tissue; and how to approach the teacher if an accident occurs. Go through each step like a tutorial and START EARLY  (preschool) so that they have mastered these things by the time they start kindergarten!
• Teach kids to tie their own shoes and zip their own jackets - Most first- and second-graders should be able to do both. This will not only save the teachers a lot of time (imagine tying shoes and zipping jackets for 20+ kids!), it can also save your child some embarrassment and teasing from their peers when they aren’t able to do it. When my kids were little, someone suggested they practice shoe-tying with a jump rope tied around a table leg. The larger size helped them to first master the mechanics of it before trying it on a smaller scale.
• Make lunches accessible without assistance - Teachers and lunch aides spend a lot of time opening drinks and food packages, and in these days of Covid-19, the fewer lunch items they have to touch, the better for everyone.  They ask that parents make life easier for everyone by practicing at home how to open packages without making a mess (especially inserting straws into drink pouches!) Send in lunches that kids can manage on their own until they’ve mastered those skills. For example, loosen the cap on a water bottle or repackage bags of chips and individually-packaged snacks into easy-to-open containers. Also, don’t forget to include napkins and utensils in the lunchbox. All of these tips will save time, allowing your child more time to eat and socialize during lunch! Teaching them how to properly close and put away lunch items was another suggestion to help lunchtime go smoother for all.

For older kids (middle and high school)

• Ensure they’re getting adequate sleep - Teachers work hard to create engaging lesson plans, but holding a teenager’s attention can be impossible when they are too tired due to lack of sleep. Insist that they plug in their phones to recharge outside their bedrooms before bed to prevent them from staying up to all hours texting their friends or surfing the web. Teenagers require even more sleep than younger children. Enforcing a reasonable bedtime on school nights is not parental overreach, even for high schoolers.
• Know when to back off and let your child handle it - Many parents step in too soon, others don’t pay enough attention. Encourage your child to self-advocate in a respectful manner and let them try to resolve issues with peers and teachers first, stepping in later if needed. Role-play at home over and over to help your child know when to speak up, what to say, and how to say it so they feel more comfortable doing it on their own.
• Encourage involvement in extracurriculars - One teacher observed that middle and high school students tend to have a happier experience when they get involved in sports, theater tech, clubs and such. This provides them with an opportunity to broaden their horizons, discover new interests, meet new friends, and feel invested in their school, as well as to learn about teamwork.
• Buy them a planner and teach them to use it - I say it all the time...it’s never too soon to teach your kids organizational skills. And what better place to start than with keeping track of their homework, tests and deadlines? (I”ll be covering this in more detail on this blog in the coming weeks.)

For kids just learning English

• Support them with English-language materials at home - If your family speaks another language at home and your child is learning English, provide them with English-language books, educational TV programs, and audio books.
• Learn the language along with your child - If you do not speak English yourself, take available ESL classes and practice speaking English at home. Do not allow your lack of English skills to discourage you from participating in school meetings and events. Your attendance lets teachers know you are participating in your child’s education, and any and every exposure to the language will likely help you learn it faster, even if you can’t follow everything at first. Most school systems have interpreters present at events involving parents, or you can request supporting materials in your native language.

For all age groups

• Teach and model respectful behavior - Remember that you and your child’s teacher/s are a team. Work with them to ensure your child is working to his potential, taking responsibility for his actions, and treating others with dignity and respect. If you disagree with a school or classroom policy or decision, discuss it with the appropriate person privately, calmly, and respectfully. Do not disparage teachers or administrators in front of your child, as this undermines their authority and sends a message to your child that it’s okay for them to do the same. Correct your child’s bad behavior when it is brought to your attention by the teacher/s and insist on good manners and best efforts. Placing an emphasis on effort rather than on grades will alleviate anxiety for everyone, including you.
• Pay attention! - Show an interest in what your child is learning about. Know when they have a big test or project coming up and encourage/help them to prepare. Visit the classroom and participate in parent meetings at the school, such as Back to School Night, whenever the opportunity arises. Join the PTA to stay informed. Let both your child and their teacher know you are there without hovering.
• Provide a dedicated area for studying/homework - Lounging on the couch or bed to do schoolwork can be distracting and sends the wrong signal to the brain. If there is no space for a desk, use a kitchen or dining room table.
• Teach self-advocacy - Help your child feel more comfortable coming to the teacher for help or clarification. I would add that kids with IEPs should be aware of their accommodations, use them, and know how to speak up when they are not getting them. High schoolers with IEPs should participate in all meetings pertaining to their plan. Once they get to college, they will have to self-report and self-advocate 100%, as parents are completely cut out of the process.

And now, the #1 response from all teachers at all levels…(drum roll, please)

• READ!!!  - One high school teacher said, “No homework to do? Family reading time!” Teacher after teacher said they couldn’t stress enough the importance of reading every single day. Many stressed continuing to read to your kids even after they learn to read themselves. Read to them, read with them, let them see you reading...no matter how old or young your kids are...make reading central to their everyday life. Read road signs. Read recipes. Read comics. Read cards and letters. Read subtitles. Read magazines, newspapers and books. Just READ!

And speaking of reading, you’ve already taken the first step in helping your child have a successful school year just by reading this blog post! Stay tuned for more Back to School tips over the next few weeks. Here’s to a fantastic 2021-22 school year! [champagne bottle pops]

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