Teaching is my passion, and learning is my obsession.
I find it so fulfilling to teach the children in my class and to be a part of their growth. It is exciting to see them learning new things and applying their knowledge to new areas. When a child has made noticeable progress I feel like shouting it to the world and having a party to celebrate.
Parents will know what I am talking about. You were there when your child said their first word, or took their first step. You know what it's like to feel truly proud of a child. You also see them learn new things and progress in their understanding of the world around them.
Parents and teachers don't always get the opportunity to come together - to celebrate learning and work in partnership. Too often teachers do the bit at school and parents do the bit at home, and both complain that the other one isn't doing their job well enough!
I'd love to see this partnership strengthened such that parents have a thorough understanding of what happens in the classroom even to the point of helping in class where possible; and teachers are aware of the background of the child and understand things that are important to his/her family.
Sometimes when I have had parent/teacher interviews, parents have asked me for some tips about how to help their child with his/her learning. On many of these ocassions I have been unable to provide what I feel is an adequate response. In the pressure of the moment, my mind comes up blank. So, I've decided to start a podcast, and this blog in attempt to provide the advice I never can in that moment!
I really need your feedback on this, as a chain isn't a chain at all if it consists of only one link! Just as I hope you can learn from my observations in the classroom, I hope to learn from your experiences in the home. I can offer suggestions of what I might try if I had kids, but you are the ones who will test it out. If my advice doesn't work, I'd like to know!
I look forward to writing many more posts for you, and attempting my first podcasts.
Cheers,
Penny
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