How to Communicate with Teachers

With all the choices of ways to communicate with teachers -- phone calls, email and notes -- which ones are the most effective? -- Wondering
Answer: Parents usually get all the pertinent information about what is going to happen in the new school year as well as how to communicate with teachers at the fall Back-to-School nights that schools hold. This makes it easy for parents to know the times and ways that individual teachers like to be contacted. Plus, parents also will find out how the teachers are going to communicate with them. Most teachers are very much at home with using the Internet. They may even have daily blogs telling what happened in the class, as well as post homework assignments on the school website.
Communicating with teachers by notes, phone calls and emails is fine for routine questions and minor problems. However, if there is a major issue, a person-to-person meeting needs to be set up. You simply can't address what needs to be done to help struggling students or resolve serious disciplinary issues without a give-and-take conversation.
There are some unwritten rules about communicating with teachers:
1. Don't expect teachers to communicate with you in a meaningful way when you run into them at school events or in other spots like the local grocery store.
2. Be diplomatic, especially in emails. Avoid making overly critical comments.
3. In face-to-face meetings, be positive and curious. Ask: Can we talk about a certain concern?
4. When you leave a phone or email message, be specific about what you wish to discuss. And do leave the time that you will be available as well as your name and phone number or email address.
5. It really is a smart gesture to express appreciation to teachers when they have been helpful to you and/or your children. It is also a nice touch to mention this to the school's principal.