In some states, kids just got out of school for the summer. In others, the new school year is about to begin.
Before you start thinking about the supplies, classroom assignments and extracurriculars your kids will need for the fall, there's one thing you should consider first.
As an educator of 42 years — and the 2021-2022 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year — Theresa Maughan knows a thing or two about school. Chatting with TODAY host Hoda Kotb in August 2023, Maughan said that there is always one major thing she recommends to parents before school starts.
Maughan suggests that parents should contact their children's teachers to touch base before the school year begins.
“Parents and teachers are partners on your child’s learning journey, so don’t wait until back-to-school night,” Maughan said. “Let the teacher know what we can do to advance your child’s academic, social (and) emotional needs.”
A high school social studies teacher in East Orange, New Jersey, Maughan said that if you're a parent of a middle or high school student, it's best to encourage them to contact their teachers so the student can learn how to "advocate for their own needs."
"This way," Maughan continued, "they develop a relationship with the teacher and they're also developing autonomy, which we try to instill in our children."
Additional back-to-school tips
In addition to never starting a new school year without establishing contact with a teacher or teachers first, Maughan says she would never wait to check on the summer reading list.
Maughan assures parents that summer assignments aren't "intended to ruin your vacation or interfere with family time." Rather, they are meant "to help review skills and to help your children stay engaged and to kind of accelerate learning in the new year." She suggests "staggering" assignments throughout the summer to avoid overwhelm and keep skills sharp.
The educator also tells parents that they should "never go rogue with school supplies," which can certainly be tempting for parents who want to make sure their children have everything they need as they start a new school year.
"Teachers have given it a lot of thought as to what materials your child will need to have a positive learning experience," Maughan said. "If you veer from the intended list, it can lead to complications for your child. Also, pick (the supplies) up early and store them."
The educator also adds that she would "never ignore the information packet," and "never snooze on working out a wake-up schedule" for her own children, who are now adults.
"Especially for middle school and high school, you want to ensure you work out what type of an alarm system you'll use," she said, adding that parents should figure out if their child is going to use a phone or a traditional clock.
"Put it across the room so they have to get out of bed to turn it off," she said. "Also, I would advise to take the tech devices out at that time so that they don't stay up any longer than they need to."
Hoda shared how impressed she was with Maughan's expertise: "She knows a thing or two!"
