TOM WILLIAMS: Remote learning makes parents' role even more fundamental

Educators have long recognized and respected the pivotal role parents play in their child’s overall development as well as their academic and social success both in and out of school. While research shows that quality teachers are the single most significant school-based factor in student success, parents are the child’s first and most important teacher in setting the foundation for student success in school and beyond.

Parents engagement is essential in helping their children at an early age recognize the importance of the unique student-teacher-parent relationship focusing on positive development and success.

Parents and teachers alike will tell us that this relationship looks very different for each child, depending on the individual needs and age of the child. Without a doubt, over the past 10 weeks, our state and national need to move to remote learning has caused a major disruption to the norms of this long standing parent-teacher relationship.

Unlike any time in our history, schoolwork has now made its way into the home and the very fabric of the child’s and parent’s regular day. The impact of remote learning on our parents is as unique and diversified as the 1.5 million public school students who enter our classrooms every day.

It’s fair to say that across our state, no matter what the family circumstances may be, our parents and our teachers, have had to make major changes. This is necessary to deepen the parent-teacher relationship assuring each student learns to the greatest extent possible without the benefit of daily face-to-face instruction and personal interaction.

Recently, we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week, and rightfully so. We elevated the amazing efforts of our teachers in reaching out to and supporting every one of their students and parents.

Let’s celebrate our parents for all they have done to forge new and stronger relationships with their child’s teacher and school to focus on and advocate for their child’s needs.

Thank you parents, we appreciate you! Keep up the great work as you prepare for the summer and re-entry plans for a new school year.