The Fourth R in Education—Relationships

Building Parent/Professional Partnerships: An Innovative Approach for Teacher Education

“…Parent/professional partnerships have been credited for improved outcomes for children, with and without disabilities, and greater satisfaction for both parents and professionals (Billman, Geddes, & Hedges, 2005;Epstein, 2005;Epstein & Sanders, 2006;Forlin & Hopewell, 2006;Pinkus, 2005;Sheldon & Epstein, 2005;Walker et al, 2005;Witmer, 2005). When parents act as partners in their children's education, teachers tend to set higher expectations of students, demonstrate a more positive morale, assess student performance more accurately (Pinkus, 2005), and are rated better by parents (HooverDempsey et al, 2002;Witmer, 2005). Pinkus noted that parents and families experience better psychological and physical wellbeing when parents partner with professionals.…”

“…As a result, many teachers are unsure of how to establish parent partnerships and may lack skill or confidence in their ability to do so successfully (Epstein, 2005;Forlin & Hopewell, 2006;Hiatt-Michael, 2001;Hoover-Dempsey et al, 2002;Witmer, 2005). If educators are not adequately trained, they may engage in more traditional, or hierarchical, rather than collaborative relationships in which both parents and professionals have parity in educational decisions and their contributions are equally valued.…”

CHAPTER 20: Cultivating Parent-Child Collaboration Concerning Mathematical Learning

“…Currently, however, the formal training of educators to nurture parental collaboration in any form is underemphasized in the teacher education programs in the United States (Witmer, 2005). The National Center for Education Statistics (2003) reported that 48% of teachers indicated that their lack of adequate training for effectively involving parents was a significant barrier.…”

Different approaches to classroom environments based on teacher experience and effectiveness

“…An important aspect of supporting an effective classroom management system is a teacher's relationship with students (Beaty‐O'Ferrall, Green, & Hanna, 2015; LaPoma & Kantor, 2013; Marzano & Marzano, 2003; Witmer, 2005). Classroom relationships and learning interact together in the classroom community, where students feel respected and appreciated by their teachers and peers (Beaty‐O'Ferrall et al, 2015; Wolk, 2003).…”

“…Classroom relationships and learning interact together in the classroom community, where students feel respected and appreciated by their teachers and peers (Beaty‐O'Ferrall et al, 2015; Wolk, 2003). Creating an atmosphere of care and respect allows students to feel secure and more likely to take risks within the classroom (LaPoma & Kantor, 2013; Witmer, 2005). The first step for teachers is as simple as learning a student's name.…”