Parent Teacher Voice

09/02/2026

“What was the best part of your day?”
This is the question I ask my daughter that makes her talk about everything.

She will ask me “Do you want the juicy one first?”

Children often need specific questions to help them remember and share their experiences.

And parents, don’t panic if they still say, “I don’t know.” 😂 Give them time. Sometimes the school stories come out at bedtime when you are already tired and ready to sleep!

What question gets YOUR child talking about their day? 👇🏽

09/01/2026

A child can behave completely differently at school than they do at home and both the parent and teacher can be telling the truth. Home and school place different demands on children. Different people, routines, noise levels, expectations, and transitions can bring out different behaviors.

What is different between home and school that might help us understand this child better?

08/31/2026

Your child does not need you to get everything right this week. ❤️

Monday morning can feel like a race.

Get them dressed. Find the missing shoe. Pack the bag. Remember the school papers. Get everybody out the door without losing your mind. 😩😂

And somewhere in all that chaos, parents start wondering:

“Am I doing enough?”

You probably are doing more than you realize.

That hug before school matters.
Listening to the long story matters.
Checking the backpack matters.
Apologizing when you lose your patience matters too.

Children grow through thousands of ordinary moments with the adults who care about them.

So this week, give yourself some grace.

Your presence is making an impact, even on the days that feel messy.

Parents, what is ONE small thing you want to do differently with your child this week?

08/28/2026

Early Childhood Teachers!! Take note of this 👌🏾

Your classroom can be beautiful and still be a weak learning environment.

When an observer walks in, they are not impressed by matching chairs, colorful walls, or perfectly labeled bins.

They are watching YOU.

How do you respond when a child cries?

Do you talk with children or mostly talk at them?

Do you give them time to think and answer?

Are children exploring, making choices, solving problems, and learning through play?

Can they reach materials without asking permission for everything?

What happens during transitions, conflicts, and challenging behaviors?

That is where classroom quality shows up.

Decorate your classroom. Make it welcoming.

Just remember: pretty does not equal quality.

Strong relationships, meaningful interactions, and intentional teaching do.

Teachers, what would an observer notice first in your classroom?

08/27/2026

Every day, a teacher walks into a classroom believing that something can grow.

A child who struggled yesterday can understand today.
A child who feels unsure can become confident.
A child who has not found their voice yet can discover it with the right support.

Teaching requires us to see possibility before we see results.

Some days, progress looks like a higher grade. Other days, it looks like a child finally raising their hand, trying again, or feeling safe enough to say, “I need help.”

Teachers plant seeds they may never get to see fully bloom.

That takes hope.

And that is why teaching will always be an act of optimism. ❤️

08/26/2026

A child does not “fail” an observation.

This morning, a parent whose child receives Early Intervention called me worried.

He asked, “Ms. Sakirat, what if they don’t enroll my child because he failed the observation?”

I reminded him to ask questions and know his rights.

For Head Start families, this is important: a child cannot be denied enrollment simply because they have a disability or developmental concern. Enrollment still depends on the program’s eligibility rules and available space.

An observation is supposed to help adults understand a child’s strengths and needs. It is not a test a young child should “pass” or “fail.”

A child may be shy.
They may not answer a stranger.
They may need extra time or support.

That information should help us support the child.

Parents, ask questions. If you are told your child cannot enroll, ask why and request the reason in writing.

Our children should not have to prove they are “easy” before they are given the opportunity to learn. ❤️

08/25/2026

08/24/2026

The backpacks are packed. Chicago public schools opens their door for children today.

The pictures are being taken. But I keep thinking about what we cannot see.

Today, thousands of children are walking back into classrooms for a new school year.

Some are excited.

Some are nervous.

And some are carrying things in those little backpacks that have nothing to do with pencils, folders, or crayons.

A new school year does not automatically give a child a fresh emotional start.

As a parent, teacher, and someone who works closely with children and families, I’m thinking about the child who needs extra time to warm up.

The parent wondering if their child will be understood.

The teacher meeting a room full of children whose stories they haven’t learned yet.

Today reminded me how much grace matters at the beginning.

So while social media fills up with beautiful first-day pictures, I’m also thinking about the stories behind those smiles.

Parents and teachers, what do you hope a child in your life feels when they walk into school this year?

08/19/2026

A new school year does not mean every child is walking into the classroom with everything together.

Some children are excited.

Others are carrying anxiety, grief, family changes, poor sleep, fear, or emotions they still do not know how to explain.

A fresh backpack does not erase what happened over the summer.

A new classroom does not erase stress at home.

And a smiling child can still be struggling.

As the school year begins, teachers may need to look beyond the behavior they see.

That quiet child may be overwhelmed.

The child who keeps getting up may be struggling to regulate.

The child who cries at drop-off may be carrying more than separation anxiety.

Before we label behavior, let’s get curious about what may be underneath it.

What do you think children may be carrying into the classroom that adults often miss?

08/17/2026

Sometimes, the biggest problem between parents and teachers is not a lack of care.

It is unspoken expectations.

A parent may think, “The teacher should already know my child needs extra time.”

A teacher may think, “The parent should know we need more consistency at home.”

But when nobody says it clearly, frustration starts to grow.

We cannot expect people to understand what we have never explained.

Parents, share the small details that help your child succeed.

Teachers, explain what you are seeing instead of assuming families already understand.

Communication gives people a chance to learn, adjust, and grow.

Strong parent-teacher relationships are built through clear conversations, even when those conversations feel uncomfortable.

Sometimes, one honest conversation can prevent months of misunderstanding.

What is one thing you wish parents or teachers communicated more clearly?