(ThyBlackMan.com) *If you can read this line: Thank a teacher!
In a perfect world all teachers would be dedicated to their profession, keep long school hours, be involved with community endeavors unrelated to school events and basically be concerned with the welfare of their students. The good news is; that model fits most teachers. However, there are some that are “challenged” culturally. Even an individual with no clinical experience can see through a person who attempts to fake a sense of cultural awareness (recognizing and appreciating differences that set one group apart from another). One quality that is exhibited by successful teachers of culturally astute children is their perception or view of themselves and others.
This is not to be misinterpreted as a slight on teachers in general; however, the research indicates that when teachers have a poor opinion of themselves and their profession, children suffer as a consequence when they become a member of the teacher’s class. Conversely, teachers that practice culturally inclusive methods will definitely see themselves as making a difference in a 
profession that is noble and worthy of appreciation from parents and students alike. They then become a part of the solution as opposed to being a part of the problem. These teachers exist in all Urban Centers in America (New York, Chicago, Oakland etc.) regardless of race, creed, nationality, and irrespective of gender. Remember, when teachers ascribe to the premise that all children can learn, economics and political influence are no longer hindering factors in their eyes.
It is incumbent upon effective teachers to find ways to communicate with parents, whether the parents are motivated or not. Research indicates that students with a desire to learn will excel if encouragement is meted out within the context of their learning environments that convey to parents the teachers class rules and expectations for student success. Students, as a rule, require immediate feedback in order for classroom instruction to be effective. Parents, in the same way, should be involved with the process of education on a continual basis and given immediate feedback when information has been disseminated that they have not responded to. The national PTA publishes a list of Things Teachers Wish Parents Would Do. The following tips should be addressed in a parent newsletter or can be a topic at the next open-house or local school council meeting:
Ten Things Teachers Wish Parents Would Do
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1. Be involved in their children’s education. Parents’ involvement helps students learn, improves schools, and makes teachers’ jobs easier.
2. Provide resources at home for reading and learning. Parents should have books and magazines for their children and read to or with their children each day.
3. Set a good example. Parents should show their children that they believe reading is both enjoyable and useful. They shouldn’t spend all their time in front of the TV either.
4. Encourage children to do their best in school. Parents must indicate that they believe education is important and that they want their children to do the best they possible can at school.
5. Emphasize academics. Too many parents get caught up in athletics and preparing their children for the world of work, when academics should be their first concern.
6. Support school rules and goals. Parents should take care not to undermine school rules, discipline, or goals.
7. Use pressure positively. Parents should encourage children to do their best, but they should not apply too much pressure by setting unattainable goals or by involving them to too many activities.
8. Call teachers early if there is a problem (not wait for teachers to call them), so there is still time to improve the situation.
9. Accept their responsibility as parents and not expect the school and teachers to takeover this job. For example, parents should make it their responsibility to teach children basic discipline at home rather than to leave this task to teachers.
10. View drinking by underage youth and excessive partying as a serious matter, not a joke. Drinking, partying, and staying out late take a toll on students’ classroom performance. While parents are concerned about drug abuse, many fail to recognize that alcohol is the drug most frequently abused by youngsters as well as adults.
Source: The National PTA Talks to Parents
Staff Writer; Stanley G. Buford
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