To ask you to help me to become a promising teacher....

[Superchop]

I will keep this short, and I am not attempting to provoke anyone.

I will be starting my Pgce (teacher training) in September, to become an early years teacher. There is a major emphasis on communicating and involving parents/carers hence this thread... So what would you like from your child's teacher?

This will depend on your school a lot. Some have an 'open door' policy where parents can come and chat at the beginning/end of the day, some have an appointment only system. Also depends on the area the school's in. Just a friendly approachable attitude and whatever the school policy is. Wish you luck with your PGCE you'll need it :D

Rather than seeking the advice of some internet randoms, you need to look at the requirements for your PGCE. Try posting them here and THEN asking MN what they they think.

And yes, I do judge someone who wants to teach children and comes here first.

Don't be one of those teachers who think it's funny to slag off the children and parents to other teachers.

Ooh harsh, echt! I suspect the OP hasn't just wandered into a pgce willy-nilly; you currently have to undergo a strict recruitment process and then pay £9,000 for the privilege.
I commend anyone who uses multiple and different sources for ideas. I think it's a great idea to canvas extra opinions from Mumsnetters.
I think the most important piece of teacher-training I ever heard was: "Just remember that every child is somebody's baby." It sounds obvious, but it really helps to remember this when faced with children who are acting up for the millionth time that day, or crazily-anxious parents who are being PFB beyond belief.
Good luck Superchop.

I like the teacher's who are sensitive...the ones who notice the quiet child and go out of their way to imbibe them with confidence.

Like my DD1s year 3 teacher who saw that DD was struggling at playtime being new to the school...so went out herself and organised circle games with the whole class so as to ensure that my DD was included and could gradually get to know the others.

I could cry every time I think of her doing that...she gave up her own break over and over again to do it.

The same teacher shed a tear in front of me over a child in the class with an incurable condition...in private of course but the CARING of her...that's all that matters. She has love for every child. Sees them all as individuals with promise. She was only young too.

Be a teacher who remembers the 'forgotten middle' of the class. So often the ones who get all the attention are the ones at the top and bottom of the class; the ones who need additional support and the ones who are just plain naughty.

The well-behaved quiet ones who just get on with things and don't ask questions tend to get ignored sometimes - since they demand little attention, they don't get it!!!

RUN AWAY VERY FAST IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION

I want a teacher that knows my child and not just what my child is capable of academically. My Daughter had a wonderful teacher last year and when we attended parent's evening, we felt like she 'got' our daughter, the other teacher's she has had just seem to reel off targets/scores/grades, etc.

Haha! luggage that's the feedback I hear so very often!
And echt after studying a BA in education and working in various childrens centres before the very long process of applying (and fees as pointed out to you) I know the requirements. Just thought I would like to hear from mothers with stories to tell. I've had very supportive and intelligent feedback from mumsnet when TTC, ante natal and post natal so I thought I might get some interesting career advice. So the 'random people' might like to help shape the people that will be 'educating' their child a lengthy period of time. :)

Superchop, definitely be an approachable teacher who parents can come to on a regular basis.

But make sure you stipulate (during parent/teacher meeting for example) when the 'best' time is to approach you.

For example. DD is just finishing Reception and I remember very clearly the teacher saying to all of us parents during the welcome meeting, that she is available every day after school for a chat, but that mornings are about greeting the children and settling them in. She is very approachable and has been wonderful for us and DD.

On the flip side, there is a TA in the school who is 'besties' (yes she used that word on FB) with one of the mums of a DC in DD's Reception class. And I know (I've been told by the friend first hand) that the TA is telling her things that are going on with other children in the Reception class. I view that as highly unprofessional and not on at all.

So as a PP said, please don't talk about the DCs or the Parents to the other teachers OR friends outside of the school.

Good luck!!

When my dd was in Y3 she seemed to be going backwards rather than forwards (particularly in maths, where she lost all confidence) and since she had an NQT I casually volunteered to be a parent helper in class to see what was going on.

I quite quickly noticed that during the 'put your hand up and answer this question' bits, my dd rarely put her hand up, and was never asked. To start with, I put this down to her natural quietness and the teacher not wanting to be seen to be deliberately picking her just because I was there, if you see what I mean.

After several sessions like this, one day on the way home I asked my dd why she didn't put her hand up more, as she was bright and would certainly know the right answer.

She said she used to but didn't bother any more as she was never picked, and that the teacher ignored her. I asked her if she was sure about that, and she said:

"Some weeks she ignores me completely".

She was right. I checked with the TA in the class who confirmed it.

Ooh, I have another feedback! Don't be a teacher who dismisses the ones who are keen. I've seen a few who were quite eye rolly in the classroom towards children who always have their hand up or who are keen on doing their work. Then in the staff room they would talk about how they hated the lick arse children. It's horrible to hear.

On the other hand, don't let the super-confident keen ones monopolise your time!

Write an end of year report that shows you know the child and their quirks and particular strengths/weaknesses.

I am a teacher and since my dd started school, I have realised that the reports I've written in the past have been quite bland . This year I am determined to write reports that really reflect what I know about the children in my class rather than using the boring statements that the computer programme has.

Oh, I didn't mean just confident ones. The shy ones who do their all their work and enjoy it. Hearing them ridiculed after being one myself was quite shocking and made me question my childhood.

But yes I agree. Don't ignore the ones who are quieter in class (keen or not keen) in favour of the louder ones. Find a kind way of handling the more confident ones though rather than shutting them down.

It's a minefield!

The same goes for the loud parents who will try and monopolise you too - particularly the ones who think...

"All children are special, but my dc is far more special than all the others in your class"!

Oooh yes! That's a good one!

And on reports, certificates, letters etc. spell their names right. Every single time!

I always had the issue with mispronouncing my name and strange spelling so I have first hand experience of that one, it's important!

These are really helpful. I especially like the recognition that every pupil is someone's baby.

Remember that what you see of children's friendships with each other is the tip of a very large and complicated iceberg. Don't fall into the trap of dealing with their relationships on an incident-by-incident basis - try and open your eyes to the context and situations they are living in. It may be true that little Johnny should absolutely not kick little Billy on the shin, but once you're aware that little Billy has been nicking Johnny's pencils and paper and calling him poo-poo head all day you'll be aware that keeping Johnny in at break isn't quite helping him deal with how he feels...

So true, I also hate it when children are forced to be friends. We wouldn't do it to adults so why push it on children? As long as they are respectful they can play with who they like surely?

Concentrate on the educational needs of the children, and don't attempt to be a crowd pleaser.

Remember also, that some children are very eloquent plausible liars.

The one saying:

"It wasn't me, she's a liar, she drew on her own arm on purpose and said that I did it, just to get me into trouble, she hates me, she said so"

and then bursting into floods of tears may be telling the truth, but on the other hand...

To tailor your lesson plans to all abilities in the class. My daughter is v academic and her Yr 5 teacher just seemed to leave her to coast along. She fell into the "I don't need to bother with that one" category. She became bored and subsequently didn't progress.

I'm a secondary teacher and a parent.
I want my kids' teacher to remember there is more to life than target grades. Please don't, whatever your SLT ask, don't EVER bully my (or anyone else's) child in pursuit of target grades.

Make time for yourself and your family.

(Choose an alternative career while you still can.)