Barbara Jacoby

Back to School Advice From Top Teachers

BY BARBARA P. JACOBY

As parents, we always want to help our children have the best school year ever. Beyond ensuring they get a good night’s sleep, have the necessary supplies and our assurance they can succeed, it can be challenging to know what else we can do.

Every Monday on the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, we ask top teachers a series of questions, including, “What can parents do to prepare their child for learning?” We’re sharing a few of their responses below to help you guarantee your child settles in for a successful school year.

Barbara P. Jacoby serves as chief communications officer for the Cherokee County School District, and is a CCSD parent with four children.

"For parents to convey a love of learning! Make the simple everyday tasks of life an opportunity for them to learn. Not only will parents be instilling in them that they are valued, but also reaffirming the parent’s role as their child’s most important teacher.”

Parents can check in with their children daily, asking them what they learned at school, practice multiplication facts anytime they are riding in the car and point out math in real life – there are always real-world applications of math. — Liane Moler E.T. Booth Middle School

Parents can teach and remind their children that it’s OK to make mistakes. Mistakes are a launching pad we can use to improve our skills or situation. School is more than academics; it is also about growing the student to be the best person they can be.”

" " Reading to your child is the best gift you can give. They learn that letters form words, and words can tell magical stories. Reading to your child is your opportunity to teach them about their world, expand their vocabulary and instill a love for learning.”

— Cody Lamanac Teasley Middle School — Alicia Thrower Avery Elementary School

Parents can set The most an example by taking important thing academics seriously, parents can do supporting teachers, to prepare their encouraging time children for learning management and is to create an communicating environment of the importance trust, respect and of a well-rounded support at home. education. Parents When parents model should set the tone positive behaviors by practicing respect at home, children and compassion in learn how to manage their interactions their emotions, make with students, responsible decisions teachers and and resolve conflicts other community appropriately.” members.” — Jennifer Dupoux — Bernard Walker Hasty Elementary School Woodstock High School Fine Arts Academy

" " " I believe in promoting self-advocacy with my students, and would love for parents to push this as well. It is very important that students communicate with their instructors in person, and through email, to learn to advocate for themselves by expressing their individual concerns. Older students can practice self-advocacy by reaching out to their teachers personally when they start struggling in a course, or do not understand an assignment.” — Alyx Buckner River Ridge High School