I had a PTA meeting on Tuesday. It was a more casual meeting than usual, with a bit of a reception at the beginning featuring socializing and yummy snacks. The treats were provided by Sugarplum Fairy Homebaking, by the way, and HOLY CRAP were they good. I am definitely going back there next year.
Anyway, I’m new to the council and I haven’t really had a chance to chit chat with people before now. I was surprised to hear a few council members make comments that implied that they are less than happy with the teachers their kids have this year.
Now I’m wondering…how do you know if your kid has a good teacher or not? Mine are both in kindergarten and they seem to be having a good time there. Their teachers both seem nice and can sing songs and do crafts with enthusiasm. So, does that mean they’re “good”? I thought so, but now I don’t know. If my kids are happy, is that enough?
As they get older, if they get good grades, does that mean they have a good teacher? Do bad teachers have students with poor grades?
I’m mystified.
Maybe parents out there with older kids can explain to me how you can tell if you’ve got a good one or not.
TurtleHead 
Hee hee hee. You’ll know. When your kids are unhappy, when they’re not doing enough or are doing too much, when you’re getting too much homework or not getting enough, when the teacher is disorganized….it could be a million things. But trust me, you’ll know it when it happens. Until then? Enjoy.
Ugh…more to worry about as parents!
It’s also a combination of
– personal vibe,
– stories that your kid comes home with,
– other parents. (Sad, but true.)
Parent/teacher meetings are a great opportunity to ask questions.
The first thing you should know is that there are always clatches of parents who spend ALL their time complaining about stuff at the school – the teachers, the lessons, the other kids, the other parents, the principal, the homework. They are a tight-knit bunch and they make the school office staff’s lives a misery. They will make your life a misery if you get too involved with them. They keep an eye on everything. Maybe your kid’s snow pants are getting too short. They’ll call you and let you know (stuff like that). Anyway, that’s not what you wanted to know. Talk to the teacher, aside from the bi-annual meetings – say hi, ask how things are going. Talk to your kids about school every day [My favorite thing was to ask mine over supper what was the worst thing about today and what was the best thing about today]. Does the teacher keep you informed and involved? Does she make comments on the kids’ work? Do the report cards sound individualized or mass produced? Are the kids learning anything? Are they enthusiastic about it? Are the assignments fun and interesting and new or the same crap she’s been churning out for the last 20 years? Do they have “homework” — enough to bridge the home and school life, but not so much that they spend their entire evening working. Mainly, like Leanne said, your kids will know and will let you know. They’re pretty good judges.
well, i think that grades are a determining factor but not the only. mostly i listen to comments that my kids make and take comments from other parents into consideration. (also have to consider which parents you are taking feedback from which was refered to in XUPS comments). some parents seem to have nothing better to do than whine about things but do nothing about them.
since my daughters started school 9 years ago i have always made a point of my keeping in good contact with the teachers so that right from the get go, they know me and i know them and that they are comfortable giving me a shout if there are any issues.
aside from the odd incident that does not really effect my kids academically, we have had pretty good teachers for the most part. some of them excellent and passionate about what they are doing!
as your kids get older and are able to communicate better, i think you will get a good sense of how things are going.
i would also recommend that you get as involved as you can.
i have always talked alot to my kids about what’s happening at school and i think that’s important.
My daughter only has a couple of years of school under her belt, but I have found it best to be involved in the school via the Parent’s Council. Also I keep communication going between her teacher and I. I will send in notes or phone if necessary to keep a handle on what’s going on. I also discuss my daughter’s day at school with her every day. And I base my opinion on that. My own personal experience. Not everybody likes everybody and we don’t all see the same situation the same way.