How to Succeed as a Class Parent

One of the best ways to stay connected to your child's classroom experience, get to know the teacher and create long-lasting memories is to become a class parent. The job may sound a bit tough with the added responsibility, but with a little creativity and organization, facing a classroom full of expectant kids can be a snap.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Communicate with your child's teacher. After you are chosen as a class parent, you need to form a partnership with the teacher. Ask the teacher for his classroom guidelines, structure and guidance so that you don't overstep your boundaries.

2. Act as a classroom liaison. Send a letter out in the beginning of the school year introducing yourself and providing your contact information. Invite parents to contact you with questions regarding classroom activities and offer to get the answers from the teacher.

3. Establish your own volunteer network. Request that the teacher provide you a list of parents and their contact information, as well as a separate list of parents who offered to help with classroom activities. You may consider asking another parent to share the class parent responsibilities with you.

4. Tread softly. Leading a team of volunteers is not a dictatorship. Think of yourself as a facilitator, ask your parent volunteers for their ideas, then provide the leadership to carry them out. After all, they are volunteering their time and energy and should be appreciated for doing so.

5. Understand your time limits. Be sure to ask the teacher before any activity how much time she has allotted for it, and then stay within those parameters. Show the teacher respect by leaving when you're supposed to, so that she can get on with her teaching schedule.

6. Resist the temptation to take advantage of being a class parent. Just because you're the lead volunteer, it doesn't mean the teacher or the school wants you to drop in whenever you feel like it. The teacher has certain things to get through during the day, and a surprise appearance by you can be disruptive.

Tips & Warnings

• Utilize Internet websites for ideas for special occasions and class parties.
• Establish the preferred mode of communication between you and the teacher, whether it be by telephone or email.
• Ask the teacher what he needs, rather than telling him what you will provide.
• Consider joining the local parent-teacher organization so that if the teacher needs additional classroom resources, you can bring it to the group's attention.

Resources

• Resources for the classroom