We also have little teacher involvement and I was thinking for next year I wonder how it would work if we said they would get X amount for attending a meeting and could earn X more for each event they went to and X more if they participated in helping with that event. I would have to set a maximum but then we are helping those that help us more but giving options to everyone. ..what does everyone think of that idea I dont think our principal would ever make meetings manditory but it sure would be nice to see teachers there since they do benefit all year from what we purchase for their classes.
My sister is president of her PTO and at their spring carnival they have a "teachers booth" where the game is run by "teachers only". As an incentive for teachers to participate, the PTO gives each teacher who donates their time at the carnival $100 classroom money. The teachers make a wish list and the PTO then purchases the items for the teachers. They have good response using this incentive. She also works very closly with the principal who encourages the teachers participation, reminding them of how much the PTO does for them throughout the year!
I am also in MA. We have VERY LITTLE teacher involvement. In fact we try not to ask them for any time and rest assured, it is not,(with a very few exceptions), volunteered. I think it is a "working after hours " contract thing. On one hand I can understand that, but on the other it frustrates me.
I agree 100% that teachers need to be involved for a successful PTO. I know that not all of the parents here feel the same way I do about how involved our teachers are and think that more of them should come to the meetings. I guess I really am a bit biased, as I have built relationships with these teachers over the past 9 years. I was just realizing how fortunate we are.
Good Luck!
Yes teachers wear a lot of hats today and the PTO's like mine aren't asking that teachers be there for everything, but their input HAS to be there. A PTO cannot be successful without the support of teachers. Not being at meetings is fine but it is hard to have to cancel events when there isn't enough volunteers and not one teacher steps in. In my school teachers are allocated a lot of money for supplies plus all their enrichment programs and field trips are funded from all the fundraising the PTO does. It is hard to keep volunteers coming year after year when the teachers don't even thank or even acknowledge the PTO. Most of the schools aren't asking for teachers to be a big part of the PTO but they must have some part in it.
Hi- I'm from Maine! Attending the PTOShow in Boxboro and now reading this string it reinforces to me how fortunate we are to have the Principal and Teachers that we do. Atleast the Principal and/or a teacher attends every meeting. They also help when ever we need them to and we have always done the same for them. Sometimes we don't realize how fortunate we are until we listen to others woes. Please remember that our Principal's and teacher's, all across this nation, are scrambling to keep up and align their curriculums with the "No Child Left Behind Act". Alot of our teachers were already furthering their educations before this legistration came into play. Our Principals and teachers have a very tough job these days, wearing a multitude of different hats, I sometimes wonder how they find the time to teach the three R's. And the pay is no way inline with what they are worth. No I'm not a teacher, just a BIG fan of the ones I come in contact with. As we should all people, treat them with patience, compassion, respect and understanding. I can't see how their in it for the money, so it must be for the kids.
Peace be with us all,
Kidsfirst
