Ever been curious about how to handle those kids in your class who have parents on your campus? Here is a helpful article that we were given here at school. With thanks to Dr. Chip Barder, director of the American School of Warsaw (Poland), here it is.
1. When a potential problem arises, ask yourself: "How would I handle this situation with another student?" Let your answer be a guide to your action with your colleague's child.
2. Maintain the same expectations for the parent/colleague and child that you would have for other parents and their children. Don't assume that they will be better or worse than others.
3. When dealing with the parent/colleague about the child, keep the contact professional and respectful. Don't chat in the hallways or in the teacher's lounge, but set up a formal time and place to discuss the child. Schedule colleagues in during parent conferences as you would any parent.
4. Meeting at the beginning of the school year with the parent/colleague and agree on a method if communication, e.g. onthe phone, deal with only the spouse of the teacher, etc.
5. Confront the problem early. Avoidance is a common reaction in these cases.
6. In you anticipate a problem, call in a third party to help keep the discussion on task.
7. As with any situation of this nature, make sure to document things so that the focus is on the problem and not on the relationship.
8. Be sure to give the student a sense of privacy about his/her life outside of school. In dealing with your colleague's child, be cautious in making reference to a parent who happens to be a faculty member, especially in front of other students.
9. It may be important to take into account the nature of the relationship between the parent and the child. Consult with the counselor, the principal or someone who knows something about the relationship outside the school.
10. It takes honesty with some sensitivity to solve most problems. Try to tune in to what makes sense.
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