What's Up, Doc? Becoming Partners in Education

By Randall Freeman, PhD

It is often said that the most important factor in a child’s success in school is the classroom teacher. If we think about it for a moment, this makes a great deal of sense. Classroom teachers spend more time with their students than just about any other person. Teachers are specially trained for their profession and know how to teach effectively for all students.

Who is a child’s first teacher? Who spent years teaching each child prior to enrolling in school? Right, the parents. More often than not, the mother becomes the first and most critical teacher in any child’s life. This is the 21st Century and more fathers are very involved in their child’s teaching, but this is still heavily the mother’s role.

Once a child enters the public school system, the public school teacher assumes a partnership with the parents in continuing to educate the child. There exist scores of ways that parents can partner with teachers to most effectively teach their children. Some ways that are very effective include:

1) Assist your child’s teacher in the classroom and on field trips when you are able. (Due to security concerns, most school districts now require parent volunteers to get fingerprinted and have a background check conducted before entering the classroom. Begin the process as soon as possible.)

2) Develop a regular routine for homework. Set up a quiet, well-lit location with sufficient supplies for studying and homework. Be available for assistance when requested.

3) Actively assist the teacher and school in recruiting parents and other community members as volunteers. Participate in assisting the school staff in creating and maintaining a welcoming school atmosphere for volunteers.

4) Take part in organizing ways to recognize and appreciate school volunteers.

These are a few of the ways that parents, family and community members can help make every child’s a successful one. Talk with your child’s teacher for more ways you can partner in improving the quality of education for all children in your community.

Randy Freeman and his family have lived in Menifee since 1993. Randy teaches kindergarten in Perris and his lovely wife Karen teaches first grade here in Menifee at Freedom Crest Elementary School. They are the proud parents of four beautiful daughters: Daniela, 18, and 14-year-old triplets Sarah, Holly, and Megan. Other family members include dogs Scruffy and Max, 17-year-old cat Hunter, and turtle Tuttles. Randy earned his PhD in early childhood education in 2011 and has served on the Menifee Union School Board since 2008. Randy has wisely decided to delete the bit about being Karen's boss in order to continue living in his happy home.