Title

Positive Teacher Attitudes and Practices Toward Children and Their Families

Author

Heather Disch, Concordia University, St. Paul

Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Non Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education

Program

Early Childhood Education

Capstone Instructor

Barbara Schoenbeck

Second Reader

Carmen Cook

Keywords

teacher education, parent teacher relationships

Abstract

Many college graduates leave with an enthusiasm and passion for learning which motivates them to become educators so they can share their knowledge and experience with others. In the first few years of teaching they get hands-on experiences with lesson planning, daily routines, student achievement, behavior management and committee participation. They have become skilled in educating children, but do they have the critical skills to collaborate with children's families? Typically, professional teacher training programs have missed one key element: educating teachers in the involvement of their students' families.

Teachers find that working with parents is one of the most challenging duties of their job (Allen, 1997). The quality of the teacher and parent relationship is important to the field of education because the unwelcoming attitude that many teachers have about parents is a barrier not only for themselves and parents, but more importantly a barrier for the children their learning and their behavior (Trahan, & Lawler-Prince, 1999). It is essential for teachers to keep in mind that they are in the same profession as parents, harvesting our future. It is also important that parents and educators understand each other's goals for children in order to get children off to a successful start to life. The relationship must be equal and must continue as children enter each new grade so that the children can truly reach their full potential.

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