If your child learns differently, getting the right teacher for your child can significantly help your child and you. Studies show that getting the right teacher for your child can make the difference in your child’s academic success as well as personal growth as an individual. The right teacher for your child may also provide you with a partner you can work with.
Our kids– the ones who are smart struggling students, who learn differently (we call them right brain learners, as visual learners or kinesthetic learners), have an uncanny knack for picking up those non-verbal traits that some of us as parents do not notice. I have made the mistake, personally, of thinking that because one of my kids loved a particular teacher that my younger kids would get the same benefits as well. Each child is different, and as parents, we need to recognize first what our child’ strengths are so that the teacher for that child not only recognizes those qualities but has an understanding about how to use those abilities to teach to strengthen the areas that the child needs support for.
Note, here is a link to a screening tool to see if your child is a right-brain learner, a visual learner or a kinesthetic learner), who learns best when they see and experience information.
Our suggestion to parents is that you write a letter to the principal of your child’s school explaining your child’s need for the right teacher that would be a good match for your child’s needs. You cannot specifically request a particular teacher by name. We suggest you write the letter NOW. School staff are working on placement and schedules now!
First and foremost, the teaching qualities your child’s teacher needs to have, are the ability to connect with your child. Quite often these are intangible qualities – not always the one who follows “rigid lists of the most popular evidence-based curriculum or strategies”. Traits like structure, a sense of humor that matches your child, empathy and kindness, and a willingness to understand and respect the individual needs and characteristics of each of his/her students are way more important. It is also helpful to have a teacher who has a track record of successes with kids like yours and who will collaborate with parents. For your child who learns differently, is gifted or has processing or sensory issues, we suggest you request an experienced teacher, where possible. While new teachers might have the enthusiasm and positive energy, they don’t yet have the perspective of what these “multifaceted” kids’ challenges and abilities might be.
You will want a teacher who will be more visual and hands-on in their teaching.
Language usage and tone are one of the main qualities to look for in a teacher.
We highly suggest you write a positively worded note (NOT a LONG letter!) to the principal requesting the “kind of teacher” that would most benefit your child’s growth this next year. Remember, you are one of hundreds of parents making this kind of request, and you want to be the parent who is both supportive and collaborative.
Before you sit down to write this note, have a conversation with your child.
Even Kindergarteners and First graders can tell you about what they like and don’t like about teachers. Have the conversation in a non-formal setting at a time that is quiet and relaxing. Listen carefully. They will tell you. “Ms Smith yelled at the kids a lot”. “Mr Jones would make lots of jokes”. Make notes with your child about what kind of teacher they would most like. Keep the conversation positive. Try not to interject your feelings or defend what they are telling you. THIS IS FOR YOUR CHILD….NOT YOU! When you go to write the letter you can make note of things like “My daughter is sensitive to loud voices and responds best when shown (modeled) what to do “or “my son often misunderstands sarcasm and needs positive feedback on what needs to be done”. Be sure to compliment and thank them for all of the support they have given your child and that you look forward to working together. You can even suggest the best way to communicate–whether it is my text, email or phone to be sure you are all working together.
Once your child is placed in a class, be sure to reach out to that teacher to let them know you appreciate everything they are doing and that you want to be sure you both feel comfortable about communicating with each other. You might suggest your child works best with an individual VISUAL SCHEDULE (even though it might be written on a board/wall somewhere in the classroom). What can you do to help with that for your child? Do not make a long list of issues your child has; keep it short and positive. Include a short list of your child’s strengths and interests. This can help the teacher build rapport. Teachers have A LOT on their plate at the beginning of the school year. Meeting a supportive and positive parent goes a long way.
Here is a sample letter you might want to use as a guide– just be sure to personalize it for your child. If you have more than one child at that school, put your suggestions all in the same letter. Those traits might be DIFFERENT for another child.
