Parents/guardians who volunteer in classroom - how well do u know the teacher?

Question

Question for moms/dads or others who volunteer in lower elementary grades classroom regularly. How well do you get to know the teacher over the year?

Very friendly, and chat to her often about non-school stuff?

Friendly, but keep it to classroom & school issues?

Or does it depend on the teacher your kid has that year?

Just wondering.I volunteer a lot, but don't really get pally with the teachers. Other moms I've seen are chatting and joking with teachers, and talking about stuff like spouses/boy friends etc.that I reserve for my girl-friends.

I talk to them a lot about classroom stuff, and it helps me know more about my kid's progress, behavior and about school policies/protocols. But, it is never personal. Like, even after volunteering from Sept-Dec, I wouldn't know what gift to get the teacher for the holidays!

so, that's the question: how well do you know/get to know your kids' teacher if you volunteer in class?

Answer 1

Did LOTS of hours of volunteer work when son was in elementary school - I was a homemaker, so had the time.

Totally got to know each teacher extremely well, I'd go with your term of very friendly. It's not brown-nosing, but in fact just wonderful to know each teacher really well who spends so many hours with our kids!

There's nothing wrong with you keeping it more at arms-length, as long as you aren't standoffish...

I in fact really missed it as he got to like grade 5 and up and there were fewer and fewer opportunities for me to be there. Still helped out with school events, regardless.

Answer 2

Well I have a 9 yr old and a 7 yr old so I get to know them fairly well. If I like the teacher we get to know each other more personal, as they hopefully will have my other child as well. I go with the vibe I get from  the teacher, some do not want to know you very well and some are very open. I volunteered a lot at my kids school so I know them pretty well. But my oldest is going into 4th grade so I have been volunteering there for 4 years already. But I volunteer for more than just classroom, anytime they need it whatever grade if I am available I will. But I am not on the PTA, they tend to pair off in groups, and I do not like that.

I actually started working there as an EA last spring so its even better, I like feeling comfortable at their school with all the staff. But my kids go to a great school and 99% of the staff is amazing.

Answer 3

I was a room parent for my son's class last year, and volunteered heavily in the classroom.  I would say I got to know his teacher really well.  By the end of the school year, I knew exactly her likes/dislikes/expectations.  We would occasionally chat about non-school stuff, but we kept it more to stuff like where did you go on vacation, that kind of thing.  I'd NEVER delve into personal relationship type things with a teacher.  I do think the relationship should be kept somewhat professional.  I"m there to help out in the classroom, and be involved in my child's class - not to make best friends, you know what I mean?

I find this to be pretty standard of everyone in my children's schools so far.

Answer 4

At my daughter's school (she's 4), it's encouraged that a parent volunteers at least once a school year. I have done it a few times and found that I didn't really get alone time with the teacher to become overly friendly. I volunteered when the class was going on a little field trip, and when they decorated cookies once.. so I was pretty busy watching kids.