Partnership refers to the affinity between people, expressed through a smile, a wink, short message, nod of the head, hand shake or other approach that shows unconditional acceptance between two or more people. It means sharing a path, with the same intention, towards the same goal. It involves supporting one another in a plan to accomplish large or small feats. Partnership implies an emotional bond with someone in which a relationship of trust develops.
What does partnership require?
Partnership requires communication that can be very intense. It demands a lot of attention and listening to the other person's approach. It means that you want to understand the other person and find common solutions. Partnership is essential to successful accomplishment of a task.
The benefits of partnership for youth
Partnership is contagious and brings a sense of mutual confidence in pursuing what needs to be done. Two is better than one! Partnership helps a young person see that there are others who feel the same way about his success and who act in similar ways to support himr.
Partnership creates attachment that is vital to a young person's success.Partnership balances differences.
Parent/teacher partnership
Avenues for the teacher:
Understand the parents' reality: work, family, past difficulties, etc.
Maintain a constructive dialogue with parents.
Frequent information sharing with parents on various aspects of their child: attitude, behaviour educational success, strengths, weaknesses, etc.
Make contact with parents at the beginning of the school year.
Share with parents actual concerns regarding difficulties experienced by their child.
Support parents in the actions they take for the well-being of their child.
Quickly accept requests from parents to meet.
Give parents signs of appreciation for their investment in their child's success.
Communicate with parents by telephone, in writing, by e-mail or through meetings.
Quickly respond to parents' requests.
Calmly explain your point of view.
Listen to parents' points of view without interrupting.
Commit to finding solutions with parents.
Keep commitments made with parents.
Remain open to discussion.
Initiate activities that require help from parents.
Invest time in developing a trusting relationship with parents.
Avenues for the parent:
Support teachers' daily actions.
Maintain constructive dialogue with teachers.
Share with teachers information you have about various aspects of your child: health, recreational activities, strengths, difficulties, etc.
Make contact with teachers at the beginning of the school year.
Share with teachers actual concerns regarding your child's difficulties.
Support teachers in carrying out class or school projects.
Participate in meetings and activities offered by teachers.
Request clarification from teachers about things you have difficulty understanding.
Give teachers signs of appreciation for their investment in your child's success.
Communicate with teachers by telephone, in writing, by e-mail or through meetings.
Quickly respond to teachers' requests.
Calmly explain your point of view.
Listen to teachers' points of view without interrupting.
Commit to finding solutions with teachers.
Keep commitments made with teachers.
Remain open to discussions and invitations.
Agree to invest time in developing a trusting relationship with teachers.
Great examples of partnerships
Hooked on School Days, held on February 15 to 19, 2010, offered a chance to take concrete, collective action to highlight the importance of student retention.
