Every Teacher′s Guide to Working With Parents

Gwen L. Rudney, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Education at the University of Minnesota, Morris. A teacher of language arts and social studies at the middle school level for more than a decade, her teaching and research interests include classroom processes, teacher development, multicultural education, and working with parents. She has worked with student teachers and cooperating teachers in regional, national, and international settings. She is coauthor of Maximum Mentoring: An Action Guide for Teacher Trainers and Cooperating Teachers. She enjoys serving as the chair of the Minnesota Teacher of the Year Program. In 2004, she received the University of Minnesota, Morris, Alumni Teaching Award.

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the Author1. Understanding the Lives of Parents: Why Do They Do Those Things They Do?Scenario: "If the Parents Would Just..."Demands and DecisionsWhat Experts Have to SayQuick Tips on Important IssuesPopular LiteratureA Theoretical Look at Parenting StylesSo, What′s the Problem?What′s a Parent to Do?Avoid ExtremesFocus on the Target Goals of ParentingTry Hard...and Keep TryingThe Kids Have a RoleChildren Grow and ChangeParents Change and Develop TooHelping Parents Who Have Special StrugglesTroubled ParentsParents With Troubled KidsParents Love Their KidsAdditional ResourcesBooksWeb Sites2. Collaborating With Parents: How Can Teachers Build Relationships That Work?Scenario: "Is It Going to Matter?"Understanding Complementary Spheres of Knowledge and InfluenceWhat Do Teachers Mean When They Say They Want Support?What Do Parents Want From Teachers?What Qualities in a Teacher Are Most Important to Parents?What Positive and Negative Experiences With Teachers Do Parents Remember?What Do Parents Do When a Child Dislikes the Teacher?What Do Parents Do When They Disagree With the Teacher?Professionalism...in a Personal WayWorking With Parents: Key Strategies for TeachersGreet Parents With Respect and Interest in Their ChildrenSolicit and Utilize Parent Questions, Advice, and CommentsThink About HomeworkDevelop "We-ness"Be Prepared With Interesting, Meaningful InformationBe Honest...and PatientBe Professional...in a Personal WayAsk Not What the Parents Can Do for You but What You Can Do for the ParentsCoping With Difficult Parents...or Parents With DifficultiesSometimes It′s a Difficult SituationSometimes It′s the ParentSometimes It′s the StudentAnd Sometimes It′s the TeacherConclusionAdditional ResourcesBooksWeb Sites3. Advocating for Parents: What Are Powerful Messages We Can Share?Scenario: "I Didn′t Know How to Say It"Message One: All of Us Have Parents...and Most of Us Become ThemThe Problem With Ethnocentrism: Like Me/Not Like Me ThinkingThe Problem With AssumptionsA Gentle ReminderMessage Two: Many Powerful Factors Create Misconceptions About ParentingRemembering the PastMedia InfluencesHabits of MindThe Real DealMessage Three: Most Parents Are Good EnoughChildren′s Health and HappinessTime and AttentionEncouraging LearningWhen There Are ProblemsMessage Four: Successful Families Come in Different Shapes and SizesMoms and DadsSingle ParentsStepparentsWhat the Children WantMessage Five: It Really Does Take a Village to Raise a ChildMembers of the VillageWhat the Village Can DoMessage Six: Schools That Advocate for Families Reap Multiple RewardsAttitude and AtmosphereBuildings and BridgesCommunication, Collaboration, and CompetenceParting WordsAdditional ResourcesBooksWeb SitesReferencesIndex

“Gives educators strategies to help involve, influence, and become partners with parents.  This book will be an asset to all teachers, especially beginning teachers in training, new teachers, and teachers who mentor other teachers. All teachers can be reminded of the important role we play in a family’s life.”