Most parents know the critical role that teachers play in the life of their children.  Here’s a great post by guest blogger, Bonnie Embry, an elementary school teacher and member of Clorox Classrooms’ Faculty Panel of Experts, with ways parents and teachers can partner in and outside the classroom.

When my son was a little boy, I never worried about him during the day, the way I imagine other parents worried about their kids. As his elementary science lab teacher, I had the advantage of seeing him both at home and in the classroom. I always knew if he was eating his lunch, covering his coughs and sneezes, and learning something or just pretending to look interested. I felt pretty lucky, but I’m not sure he felt the same!

As a full-time mom and teacher by day, I know how important it is for teachers and parents to work together to make sure the lessons learned in the home aren’t forgotten in the classroom, and vice versa.  After all, parents are the most important teachers out there.

For example, when I start teaching my students about questioning strategies to use in scientific investigations, I make it fun, using “magic tricks” that leave them guessing and asking the right questions to get to get an explanation for what they observe.  When class is over, I always encourage kids to do the magic tricks at home and explain them to their families, so that parents are involved in their children’s learning experience.

I know from experience that parents are teaching their kids important lessons at home – like washing their hands before meals and after they use the restroom and covering their coughs with their elbows, not their hands – so I try to reinforce these healthy habits in the classroom. Teachers in my school are encouraged to use science lessons to teach students how they can help prevent the spread of germs that cause cold and flu, and to send home take home activities like Stop That Germ!,from the new Clorox Classrooms.

There are other ways parents and teachers can partner in and outside the classroom. Here are three:

• Volunteering in the classroom: parent volunteers are always needed! Teachers welcome a hand with kids’ activities, hosting parties, or cleaning desks and other surfaces.


• Donating classroom supplies: with more and more schools facing budget cuts, teachers often have to purchase their own supplies. Parents can help by donating supplies like pens and pencils, notebooks, erasers and disinfecting wipes. At Clorox Classrooms, parents can download the Healthy Classroom Supply Checklist.


• Helping with homework: when parents help kids with their homework, they’re also keeping up with what their kids are learning and can help teachers identify if there are any difficulties.

Bonnie Embry, member of Clorox Classrooms’ Faculty Panel of Experts, is an elementary school teacher from Lexington, Kentucky, with 25 years of teaching experience. She also serves as the District VIII Director for the National Science Teachers Association and actively participates in curriculum development on a state and national level.