Author(s): Louise Porter

Working With Families

This book describes the skills teachers will need for productive collaboration with their students' parents. It employs a solution-focused approach which honors the diversity of families, respects the expertise of both parents and teachers, and promotes authentic communication between them. Teacher-Parent Collaboration looks at specific challenges that arise in schools and early childhood settings. The book outlines how teachers can respond to the needs of parents whose sons or daughters have disabilities or chronic illness, are gifted learners, are displaying disruptive or aggressive behavior (including bullying) at school, or whose families are enduring adversity, child neglect, or abuse. It describes how teachers can collaborate with parents to resolve these challenges to improve the children's functioning and achievement throughout their education years.