We are very fortunate in that some of our teachers ARE parents. With their love and appreciation for support organizations THEY recruit other teachers to get involved.
We currently have two teachers on our executive board. They oversee committees who's issues and programs intertwine student/school policy subjects (ie. lunchroom programs, educational family nights).
We have had the biggest success with gearing Family Nights in an educational direction, such as Science Night. The teachers were first aboard to organize, volunteer etc to put it together.
We are working on a Math Night with the theme "Clue" behind it. Solving math problems to get to the next station etc til the end is reached...A Party at the end.
I think the key is remembering the children benefit from teacher involvement, and the teachers benefit when we can aide them in finding new ways to ease their teaching methods.
Keep the circle going by inspiring....if you build it they will come!
Most of the time it does not bother me that our teachers are not more active. We have a teacher representative who comes to the meetings. The teacher usually listens and sometimes has something to say.
What gets me is that not one of the teachers in our school pays the $10 to be a member of the PTO. That really irritates me. They have no problem asking for money but they can't spend $10 to be part of an organization that is their to support them? It makes me feel unappreciated and like a banker. My only role to give them what they ask for. I do not feel the team at all.
We have a great relationship with our teachers and our principal. In fact, our principal is HIGHLY respected by all the staff. He comes to most of our meetings, except when family issues arise. I get the guilty looks from teachers the day of/day after a meeting too. I wish they wouldn't do that. I'm happy when they can come, but I understand when they can't. We have a great email system, so I keep them informed of anything important that way.
I think, in theory, it would be great to have a teacher at each meeting. We tried this with the help of our principal and they just sat and listened - even when questioned gave very little response. (Can lead a horse to water, but can't make them drink )
I must say that I agree with you 100%, but I also hate to say that this is something that we can't control.
We can ask for representation, but the truth is that this can't be enforced. Talking about the exact same thing with my Principal last year he explained that due to union rules, or whatever it was, this was not something that even he could try to make happen.
Again we asked for them to attend and explained that they are most welcome, but as you pointed out they really only attended when they wanted something, and even then not all of the time (sometimes sending a letter or requesting via the Principal instead).
Mind you I don't want to give the impression that I have an issue with our teachers. They are the best! They are very dedicated and many do not live nearby, but I truly wish that they could attend and be more involved in the PTO. But they do do their part overall so I can't complain!
PTOCES;130472 wrote: We have teacher reps for each grade level. They are required to be at the meetings once appointed. The teachers normally just rotate yearly. Seems to work out fine for all. I can't say enough for our teachers....they are wonderful to attend. Now we have more teachers than ever coming, sometimes we have more teachers than parents. Not to out vote the PTO, just to be there...
I believe this to be true. We also have one from each grade level. The principal also attends and the PTO secretary has the minutes emailed to the principal by the next morning, she then forwards them to the teachers. I feel this is also a good idea so the other teachers are not hearing information 2nd handed!!
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