The teachers should recognize their right to teach professionally without disruptions as suggested by Charles (2011) and use this position to address the problem. Like teachers, parents and caregivers have their rights in fostering the education of their children. However, parents and caregivers should avoid evoking a climate that would undermine the development of students as stated in the Bible (Colossians 3:20-21). Some parents might overstep their rights and display a sense of entitlement. Teachers have a responsibility to intervene based on the best interests of students. The appropriate reaction from teachers is to engage the parents in dialogue to achieve an understanding of relevant rules and policies as well as their roles as partners in promoting the development of their children. /0x4*
The dialogue should entail three key elements. In the first element, the teachers should listen to the perspectives and attitudes of the parents towards the students. This element would help the teachers to avoid yelling or arguing with the parents (Emmer & Evertson, 2013). As teachers operate in increasingly more diverse classroom environments, it becomes easier to overlook the diverse perspectives of the parents and caregivers about teaching and school at large. Some attitudes of the parents and caregivers might encourage them to display a sense of entitlement and diverge from the policies of the school. Seeking to understand such attitudes would be an important initial step for the teachers in addressing the problem.
In the second element, the teachers should explain the roles, policies, rules, and procedures to the parents. Upon gaining an understanding of the attitudes of the parents, the teachers would be in a strong position to provide explanations or parent education that would improve the situation. Perhaps a lack of understanding on the part of the parents or caregivers regarding their role might be a contributing factor in displaying a sense of entitlement. Teachers might be dealing with parents from diverse backgrounds, but the established policies, rules, and procedures provide an opportunity to foster common ground. An explanation of the roles of the parents as partners with teachers in the learning environment, as well as the rules, policies, and procedures, might influence the parents to adopt a cooperative approach rather than display a sense of entitlement.
The final element regards the teachers taking specific measures to cultivate a relationship of trust and respect with the parents. These values are consistent with the Christian worldview and would help the teachers to reach a consensus with the parents. Overall, the dialogue would help teachers and parents or caregivers to build solidarity and create a environment of collective agreements, mutual-respect, and collective responsibility for the education of the students.
References
Charles, C. M. (2011). Building classroom discipline(10thed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Emmer, E. T. & Evertson, C. M. (2013). Classroom management for middle and high school teachers. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. Colossians 3:20-21 20“Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
