Teachers should be prepared to see angry parents when their child is experiencing discipline problems or is failing. It is also important to have good documentation of negative actions by the student in either area. Teachers must take the time to communicate directly with the parent any time they sense a problem arising. The best defense is good public relations. Quickly establishing positive communication with as many parents as possible is the first step toward positive relations. The more communication between parents and teachers, the fewer problems a teacher will usually experience.

At the beginning of the year (or anytime you get a new student) send a note or phone each child's parent(s) introducing yourself and outlining your goals for the class. Be sure you have good things to say about each child. You might also want to have a questionnaire asking for the following information: current home address, home and work phone numbers for both parents, and any special needs of the child.

A monthly letter or newsletter to your students' parents will do wonders for establishing positive communications. Include a calendar of objectives and plans for each week and the general topics to be studied. Provide parents with ideas for at-home activities that will complement school work.

Continue to establish positive communication  with individual parents by sending home positive notes or writing compliments on papers. One word or one sentence is all that it takes. Provide parents with samples of their child's work or display collections of work done by the class.  Inform parents about their child's school successes and where improvement is needed.  Use success cards, stickers, etc., whenever possible. Teachers should strive to make the parent feel comfortable coming directly to them with problems. If a teacher has established  a  working  relationship with the parents, conferring together to help the student learn self-discipline or pass the subject will be much easier.

Teachers should be prepared to see angry parents when their child is experiencing discipline problems or is failing.  The more communication between parents and teachers, the fewer problems a teacher will usually experience.