Questions to Ask About Your Child's Teacher
Early in the school year, make it a point to set a meeting to observe in your child's
classroom and to talk with his teacher privately after school. Here are some questions to
ask yourself at the end of the day:
- Does the teacher get involved with the kids, roving around the room, helping
individuals? Or, does he stand in front of the classroom, lecturing at everybody much of
the time?
- Does he use a variety of teaching methods - lecturing, asking questions, demonstrating,
telling stories, using humor, engaging children in active learning? Or, does he mostly
talk at kids, correct papers, and deal with discipline?
- During your private meeting with the teacher, did you find him focusing more on your
child's accomplishments and abilities, or dwelling instead on his problems and deficits?
These questions will help you decide whether this teacher is compatible with your
child's learning needs. If he's boring, rigid, negative, or punitive in his teaching
style, then you may want to shop around for another teacher for your child.
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Last modified: Oct 24, 1995