Do teachers give more attention to kids whose parents volunteer in class?

Question

If parents help in the classroom by volunteering, arranging events or bringing in much needed supplies for the classroom, do their kids get more attention from the teachers?

I am in _no_ way implying that teachers favor those kids or give them better grades or select them first for any fun stuff. I mean more like, teachers being human, do they _involuntarily_ give those kids more attention, feel more drawn towards those kids? Comment more deeply on their work? Have more patience with those kids?

My experience has been that most teachers do a GREAT job with all kids, I admire them for doing their tough job. But, they do tend to do a little bit extra with kids whose parents volunteer or help in other ways. I feel this is but natural and we cannot fault teachers for it as long as no student is being neglected.

Anyone feel the same? Different?

Answer 1

Yeah I'm sure those kids get a little more attention but I'm sure it's intentional.  

Answer 2

Yes they do.

Answer 3

I think they do. Parents that help and volunteer make a better impression on their kids in the teachers' eyes. But I dunno. But I think they do.

Answer 4

Sure of course they.  Simply because they know the family better.  It is natural and normal to give a little extra attention to people that you know.  That being said I think very few teachers take this to the extreme to the point where other children have a disadvantage.

My mother volunteered at my schools all the time.  In fact she continue to volunteer for my forth grade teacher for  ten years after I left the fourth grade.  And she still volunteer at my jr. high and high school but not as much as she did at my elementary.  I know that I got a little extra attention.  Most of the time that was a positive but sometimes it was not so positive.  Some of my teacher expected way more from me that I could reasonable do.  As I later found out when I was in college, I have dyslexia.  Some of my elementary teachers and jr. high teachers could not understand why sometimes I had so much trouble in school doing certain things.  They knew that my mother was very involved and was working with me so occasionally they thought I was just lazy.

So yes teachers do give kids that parents volunteer a little more attention.  But it is not always positive.  And if you are unable to volunteer then make sure you go to very parent/ teacher night.   Also try to call them every month or two to stay in touch.  If the teacher know you better then you are more likely to get a little more attention for your child.

Answer 5

I believe so.  If you look at the studies, parents that are involved in the school have children that tend to like school more and have a better behavior.  (I know not all).  And no teacher will ever convince me that they like the bratty kid as much as they like the well-behaved kid.



    

Answer 6

This question interested me for the reason that I asked a similar question once on yahoo. You got a few teachers saying "oh no, we are professionals we wouldn't do that", but here you are pretty much getting the response that just seems logical. If parents volunteer the kid gets more attention/favor.

My child has been after me to volunteer for that very reason, she says that kids whose parents volunteer get better treatment. Due to some important family obligations I have not been able to, but may try to squeeze in the time, even though I really don't have the time.

Answer 7

I have noticed that yes,They do,Because they talk to the parents a lot when they volunteer and then they think of the kid that they talked about more or get to know more about the kid,so they focus on him/her.

Answer 8

I don't think so. Now if the parent is in class helping that day and watching the lesson they may be nicer in general.

Answer 9

Yes, teacher do tend to focus a bit more on kids whose parents volunteer in the classroom or are active in the school.  But, it is more for parents who actually go in to the school and interact with the teachers. Parents who help in other ways like sending in money, supplies, making copies or any other help that happens outside the school will get a heartfelt thank you, but I doubt their kids get any extra attention because there is no rapport built as such between parent and teacher.

Answer 10

Why wouldn't they? It's almost like positive reinforcement in my opinion. They have these parents spending time, talent and money in their class-rooms, and assuming those parents are leaving a good impression~~~the teacher will want them to continue to contribute whatever they can. So I'm sure they're way more likely to make positive remarks about those parents children. It's kinda like "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine".

That's how I see it anyway.

Answer 11

I've always worried about that. I have two children in school (3rd and 1st grade) and two at home. I can't be as much involved in their classroom as I would like because I've always had to have 2-3 children in tow.

I don't think my children are treated different than the "class parent's" children. When I have been in the school I think all have been treated equally. But I do think that I get different treatment than the "class parents" do.

Answer 12

Definitely not. And that's from both points of view - I've been the teacher, and I've been the volunteering parent.

Other parents may see that the relationship between the volunteering parent and the teacher is different - simply because they know one another better.

But trust me, it makes absolutely no difference - whether perceived or otherwise. We are professionals and have codes of conduct to maintain, as well as our own personal integrity.