Introduction
Parents and families of students play an important role in the educational process. Therefore, the teacher must establish a trusting relationship with them to get to know their students better. Moreover, Ms. Cowhey did not try to find out information about children and parents that they would not want to share. This approach is the best way to build trusting relationships with students’ families since teachers are not perceived as wary.
Discussion
In my work, I would apply the strategy of a weekly newsletter to parents about what children are learning in school. Ms. Cowhey says that when parents ask more specific questions about what they learn in school, kids are more willing to share information. Therefore, this approach helps to improve understanding and interaction in the family, while parents can track the real learning progress of students. Furthermore, Cowhey (2006) describes how she involved parents in the educating process:
I asked if they knew of any good resources or had any advice for me. One of the mums said that she’d help the district develop a family diversity curriculum the year before and would help me with that. She offered to share books for home and talk with the class about foster care and adoption. She invited me to a workshop about issues of adoptive children in schools which was very helpful. (p. 197)
I would also use this strategy as it allows the learning process to be shaped most comfortably for the child and promotes parent-child interaction.
One of the biggest fears about “going against the grain” is that my approach to educating students will cause a lot of misunderstandings and complaints. These criticisms can come from colleagues and parents as people are accustomed to traditional approaches to education. However, after completing this course, I am sure each student needs to be approached individually to achieve the best learning outcomes. Therefore, a departure from standard educational strategies must be used. At the same time, it is important to critically evaluate the concept of teaching differently. It should be based on standard teacher practices for the child’s comprehensive development.
Conclusion
Teaching differently is important not only to change all educational standards but to adapt them in such a way as to guarantee growth and progress for each student. I will be able to meet the challenges that arise because I understand that the educator’s work should be directed to the child and act in their best interests.
Reference
Cowhey, M. (2006). Black Ants and Buddhists: Thinking critically and teaching differently in the primary grades. Stenhouse Publishers.