The Teacher Representative's role is very important, they act as a liaison and communication link between your PTA Board and the faculty.

"T - for teacher - is the PTA’s middle name. Teachers are the crucial link in the partnership between school and parents."

Read more about the responsibilities and duties of a Teacher Representative or Teacher Vice President.

As the co-author of a new book, Creating Parent and Family Involvement: 101 Ideas for Teachers Who Care, (by Hobart Harmon, Ph.D. and Ben Dickens, Ed.D.), I wanted to personally let you know the book is now available--as are customized workshops for group meetings of teachers and others.

Please go to www.pcrs.biz/>www.pcrs.biz to review book contents, or learn more about the workshops.

In addition to over 100 practical parent involvement ideas for teachers, a special chapter
includes over 50 tips a teacher can give parents on how to help their children improve academically in school. The purpose of this chapter is to help all teachers effectively answer the parent who asks, "How do I help my child succeed academically in school?

A 40-item school self-assessment survey is also included in the book. This self-assessment is divided into the same 8 categories that contain the 101 ideas for teachers. The categories include:

1. Getting Acquainted with Parents
2. Solving Student Behavior Problems
3. Providing a Welcoming Impression
4. Preparing Parent Volunteers
5. Using Technology Effectively
6. Promoting Positive Public Relations
7. Improving Homework Communications
8. Making Committee Activities Enjoyable

The more than 50 teacher tips for parents are grouped under the following headings:

Encouraging a Child to Read
Communicating with the Child
Monitoring a Child's Homework
Monitoring TV Viewing and Video Game Playing
Encouraging a Child to Use the Library
Working with Teachers and Schools
Helping a Child with Test-Taking
Reviewing Test Results