Chapter 3: Families and Communities

After reading chapter three of The Joy of Teaching, I believe that "Partnerships between teachers and families can improve the learning of students." I believe that throughout the student's educational journey, there needs to be connection between the home and the school. When students feel that their parents are involved in their education, they see that their family cares about their progress through school and their achievements throughout. Almost all "principles report that their school is welcoming to parents, but only 6 out of 10 parents see their school in the same way" (113). In this way there is some sort of hindrance within the school that is holding parents back from being welcomed. When there is a comfortable atmosphere and a welcoming attitude coming from both the school and faculty members, it is easier for the family of a student to feel as though their involvement in their child's education is welcome. Throughout the school year, the teacher needs to have a direct hand in communicating with the parents in order to maintain some sort of attachment to their students education. Only when this is done will the family want to further involve themselves in the school. Some of the easiest ways to get parent interested in their child's education include parent-teacher conferences, volunteering, and involvement in family-teacher organizations such as the PTA. When the student sees that their family cares enough about their education to be involved in what is happening, and using some of their own time to get involved, it will encourage them within the classroom to achieve goals.