The teacher - an all-rounder in the classroom?
We at the Dachverband Lehrerinnen und Lehrer Schweiz are of the opinion that it has become more difficult to lead a school class today. Despite this - or perhaps because of it - most class teachers report enthusiastically about their work.
They appreciate the intensive collaboration with the children and describe the relationship work as very enriching, as a good relationship with each individual child makes it easier to support them in their learning in everyday school life.
The big challenge is that, as a class teacher, I need to be able to be myself and respond constructively to the pupils despite the hectic school day. Maintaining inner calm or finding it again and again requires me to be mindful of myself. Only if I manage to listen to myself again and again and recognise what my own needs are can I remain healthy in my role as a class teacher and respond constructively to the children's needs. With my descriptions from the perspective of an enthusiastic teacher, I would like to help you, dear parents, to understand that your child's class teacher is not always available and may not always find time for your concerns immediately.
The teacher, an all-rounder
As a class teacher, I am at the centre of everyday school life. In addition to working with the pupils, I am responsible for liaising with the other teachers. I lead my own class team and am also part of the whole school team. In this area of work, I have a duty to contribute to the further development of quality at my school. My boss is the headteacher, who guides, informs and supports me. At the same time, I also receive orders from the school management to further develop the school and my work.
I work together with other specialists and specialist centres so that I can provide the best possible support for children with special needs.
Class teachers organise lantern processions or other festivities, as this is required of them.
I need to be familiar with the cantonal regulations and the municipal information channels. These requirements are the basis for forms that you as parents will encounter in your co-operation with the school. School as part of the community also requires participation in public events. In many communities, it is a tradition for class teachers to organise lantern parades, sports events or other festivities. We also have the task of basing our lesson planning and organisation on the latest scientific findings. This requires us to keep up to date with specialised reading and cantonal or internal school training.
Accompany the child while learning?
Having described at the beginning that the challenging relationship work with the children is perceived as particularly enriching by the class teachers, I would also like to mention the area that in many cases puts the most strain on the teachers. Assessing and evaluating academic performance and behaviour is part of every teacher's job. This area is particularly stressful when parents question the school's observations and assessments from the ground up.
Like you, dear parents, we teachers have a great interest in your child achieving good grades. You and we will do everything we can to ensure that your child has a good time at school. I hope that you have been informed in the assessment meeting with your child's class teacher that it is not only the learning assessments that are decisive for an overall assessment of your child. We teachers have the task of incorporating observations of your child's working and learning behaviour and self-organisation.
Regularly ask your child what homework and learning assessments are due.
The documentation of our observations is part of our work and is subject to data protection. I would therefore encourage you not to scrutinise every observation straight away, but to accompany your child in their learning. Ask your child regularly what homework and learning assessments are due. If anything is unclear, the class teacher will be happy to provide you with information - if it is not during the lunch break or late at night.
As a still enthusiastic teacher, I would like to encourage you to trust your child's class teacher to do their best to support your child to the best of their ability. Trust that you will receive important information in good time and that the class teacher will take care of your concerns, even if not immediately. Mutual trust and tolerance are important prerequisites for your child's success at school.
