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When to Ask Teachers and Administrators for Help

When to Ask Teachers and Administrators for Help

November 11, 2022

School is one of the most challenging and simultaneously rewarding seasons of our lives. The long days in the classroom, the effort required to learn and master new concepts, and the completion of lengthy assignments and tests can be difficult for anyone. However, gaining knowledge, learning how to do new things, and completing difficult assignments are incredibly rewarding. 

Nevertheless, sometimes the challenges of education can be overwhelming. Students need a little more help than what they are getting during the normal course of the school day. In this guide, we’re helping parents and students understand when and how to ask teachers and administrators for assistance. 

When to Ask Your Student’s Teachers for Help

To determine when to ask your child’s teacher for assistance, you are essentially asking when the challenge is so great you cannot forge ahead at home. 

How to Know You Should Keep Trying at Home

Difficult seasons are common during school. There will be concepts in every subject that your child will have trouble grasping with confidence. Sometimes, the best thing you can do as a parent is to be your child’s most enthusiastic encouragement. You can help give them the confidence they need to accomplish the assignment or master the challenging subject. 

Sometimes, you’ll find that the challenge is too great, and you need reinforcements. 

Signs You Should Ask for Help

Here are a few of the signs you need to ask teachers for help:

  • Excess Trouble: Your student is struggling to understand something or complete an assignment more than usual. If the amount of difficulty is unexpected, you may need to meet with your child’s teacher.
  • Excess Frustration: If your child is more frustrated than usual about a topic, it could be that they are struggling to grasp something more than they should be. Sometimes, failing to grasp one thing can cause exponential frustration. 
  • Poor Attitude: When a child’s attitude toward school or a particular subject deteriorates substantially, it could be a sign they need to spend a little extra time with a teacher or tutor. 
  • Long Hours: Your child may not vocalize their frustration, but you find that they are spending many late nights and/or early mornings working on subjects or assignments. If there isn’t an explanation like athletics or procrastination, the solution may be to schedule a conversation with a teacher. 
  • Procrastination: If there is something that drives parents up the wall, it’s procrastination. You might take away every privilege possible, and still, your student seems to wait until the last minute to complete (or begin) an assignment. Your child’s procrastination may be due to their failure to understand a subject. 
  • Missed Class: If your child has missed class due to an extended illness or lengthy vacation, it would be wise to talk to their teacher about what they may have missed and how to best catch up. 

There are certainly countless other reasons you might consider asking your child’s teacher for help. We recommend erring on the side of caution by reaching out to teachers whenever it seems like the right thing to do for you and your student. 

How to Ask Your Child’s Teachers or Administrators for Help

The better question might be, how do you ask your child’s teacher or administrators for help?

1. Ask with Humility

When you ask your child’s teacher for help, make sure you ask humbly, understanding that they have the expertise, experience, and resources to assist your student. Teachers are dedicated to giving every student what they need to master concepts and subjects. 

2. Communicate Appropriately

Most likely, your child’s teachers have tried to provide avenues and opportunities for communication that work best for you, them, and their families. It is important to be respectful of a teacher’s time and effort, while also articulating your family’s needs as best you can. 

3. Provide As Much Information as Possible

For parents, it is vital to gather as much information about your child’s struggles as possible so your teacher has the best chance of providing the assistance they need. Of course, this means parents must be the first line of defense against struggling with academics. You must be a resource for them as well. 

4. Encourage Your Student to Ask for Help

Up to this point, we’ve mostly discussed advocating for your student; however, your role includes empowering your child to seek help on their own. They can schedule meetings, arrange to stay after school or arrive early, and be honest about their struggles. 

5. Seek Administrative Help

If your child is showing signs of struggle beyond just mastering a single subject or completing an assignment, you may need to meet with an administrator or guidance counselor. Anxiety can show up in many ways, including:

  • Insomnia or poor sleeping
  • Poor eating habits
  • Lethargy and fatigue
  • Apathy and poor attitude
  • Stress and poor anger management 
  • Atypical procrastination
  • Lack of ability to focus
  • Depression

The Advantage of Attending a Christian Private School

Emmanuel Lutheran School provides an academically challenging, Christ-centered education in a caring environment. Our mission is to prepare children For Today, For Tomorrow, Forever. One of the ways we accomplish this is by ensuring our class sizes are 40-50% smaller than traditional public schools. That means students who are struggling or excelling in a subject can receive extra attention. 

If you would like to know more information about our Christian private school in west Asheville, reach out to the caring and supportive administrative team at ELS today!