Parents and Teachers: The Possibility of a Dream Team

 http://www.edutopia.org/blog/parent-teacher-collaboration-richard-curwin?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

I thought this was a helpful article that highlighted the complexity of the parent- teacher relationship. Parents can either be your best friends or you worst enemies. I believe it is an important part of our job, as teachers, to establish a healthy and trusting relationship with parents.  In the best interest of the student, teachers must do what ever it takes to gain the trust of parents. My principal requires a version of the three- call method, but sometimes it takes more than a phone call.  I think teachers have to be up for the challenge of breaking down walls and earning trust, so they can be a functioning team.   I try to always ask the parent's opinion before stating my own, and I always make it known that I want what is best for their child.  This is one of the most challenging relationships that requires a lot of work and effort at times, but children deserve the best from adults!