How to retain homeschool teachers
Do’s and Don’ts of Working with a Great Teacher
Having a great teacher for your child is a treasure. Ensuring that your teacher continues to enjoy teaching and sticks with you long-term requires mindful actions. Here are some do's and don'ts to help foster a positive and enduring relationship with your child’s teacher.
Do: Agree on an Easy-to-Follow Curriculum, Clear Goals, and a Schedule
Providing your teacher with a curriculum or educational software to pair with their tutoring sessions can save them a lot of time preparing materials outside of sessions. This approach helps establish a clear framework that everyone agrees to, promoting consistency and structure. Schedules can provide ease and comfort to students, while milestones streamline expectations and offer a basis for check-ins and feedback.
Key Points:
Choose or provide a suitable curriculum.
Set clear, achievable goals.
Establish a regular schedule.
Our section on curriculum can assist families in finding a good curriculum to pair with tutoring, enhancing the overall educational experience.
Don’t: Hover Over the Teacher
Once you’ve found a trustworthy teacher, allow them the independence to teach. Constantly hovering over the teacher’s shoulder, dictating what and how to teach, can be highly annoying and counterproductive. This behavior is not only distracting and stressful for the child but also for the teacher.
Parents should avoid attending sessions or pushing their kids to cooperate during lessons. This interference can be stressful for the child and disruptive to their learning process. Even with the best intentions, frequent suggestions and ideas can be overwhelming for the teacher and may come across as criticism.
Key Points:
Trust your teacher's expertise.
Avoid attending sessions or interrupting lessons.
Provide feedback at appropriate times, focusing on positive aspects first.
If you don’t trust the teacher, it might be best not to hire them in the first place. However, if you have confidence in their abilities, allow them the space to excel in their role.
Do: Praise and Thank Frequently
Teachers thrive on praise just as plants thrive on water. Finding big and small opportunities to offer sincere thanks can motivate teachers to work even harder and build loyalty. Share how much your child enjoys their lessons and express your appreciation for the teacher’s expertise.
Key Points:
Offer sincere thanks regularly.
Highlight positive impacts on your child’s learning.
Use positive reinforcement to encourage desired teaching behaviors.
For example, if a teacher provides a detailed progress report or shares photos, expressing how much you appreciated it can reinforce that behavior and encourage similar actions in the future.
Don’t: Undercompensate Your Teacher
A great teacher is invaluable, and compensation should reflect that. If your family can afford it, paying your teacher generously can ensure they feel valued and are more likely to stay long-term. Avoid paying the minimum possible; instead, focus on what you can truly afford and what you believe the service is worth.
Key Points:
Pay your teacher fairly.
Discuss and agree on compensation upfront.
Ensure the teacher feels valued and not overextended.
Even if a teacher doesn’t need the money and teaches out of passion, feeling fairly compensated is important. Avoid taking advantage of their goodwill by ensuring they are treated and paid well.
Do: Allow for Teacher Autonomy Within Structure
Giving your teacher autonomy within an agreed structure is crucial. While it’s natural to want to collaborate on customizing your child’s education, constantly sending new ideas for material can be stressful for the teacher. They might feel pressured to keep up with all suggestions, leading to confusion and difficulty in maintaining the original milestones and curriculum.
Key Points:
Provide a structured framework.
Allow teacher autonomy within this framework.
Collaborate supportively without overwhelming the teacher.
If you need to give feedback, do so constructively and at reasonable intervals. Start by focusing on what’s working well, then discuss any areas needing improvement relative to the goals you set together.
Don’t: Forget the Teacher’s Perspective
Understanding and respecting the teacher’s perspective is vital. Frequent, unsolicited suggestions can be perceived as demands, creating stress and frustration. Always communicate from a place of support, not criticism.
Key Points:
Communicate supportively.
Avoid unsolicited suggestions that may seem like demands.
Focus on collaborative, constructive feedback.
By ensuring clear, respectful communication and providing the necessary support, you can foster a positive environment where both the teacher and student can thrive.
