TEACHER'S CORNER: LOOKING FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS

Margaret Little says the key to successful schooling for students is a partnership between teachers and parents.

"It is essential for home and school to work together as a team to ensure the best possible educational experience for our students," said Little.

She has been teaching fifth-grade at Charles C. Clippard Elementary School for 18 years.

"I have seen an eroding of the relationship between home and school in recent years," Little said. "There seems to be a lack of trust or understanding nationally. I believe that some parents have come to feel that they are not wanted or needed at school."

Little says that's not true. She added that the other fifth grade teachers she works with at Clippard agree.

"We want our parents to know that we want success for every child and that we will do our best for each child," she said.

So parents can be better informed about what's happening at school, Little calls each parent before school begins in the fall. She also hosts a pre-school parent meeting.

"Research has shown that when parents are supportive and involved with their child's school, the students do much better," Little said.

She recommends that parents let their child know that school is important and that they set aside a special time for homework.

"We want parents to understand our program and feel welcome to come to school and/or call us when they have questions or comments," Little said.

"Clippard School parents have traditionally been very supportive of our school, and we want that good relationship to continue."

After attending Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., Little earned a bachelor's and master's degree from Southeast Missouri State University.

She taught music for three years before settling into the fifth-grade.

She and her husband David have two grown children, David Jr., an attorney, and Christy, a kindergarten teacher.

Little is a member of Lynwood Baptist Church, where she is director of the third and fourth grade Sunday School department. She also serves as church pianist.

She is recording secretary of Beta Sigma Phi sorority and secretary of the Cape Girardeau Community Teachers Association. She is also a member of the National Council of Teachers of Math and the Missouri Teachers of Science.