Getting Teachers Involved with a PTA, Booster Club or PTO

You might think that teachers and school PTA groups go hand in hand but that is not often the case. Teachers can get busy with their students and classrooms and may not think that the PTA wants their help. It can also work the other way. PTA groups may think that Teachers would not be interested in helping their group or that they would not have the time. Teacher involvement is important to a PTA group. Not every teacher will want to help out but you will find a few that do. This article will give a few tips on how you can get teachers involved with your PTA.

#1: Ask

Asking is one of the most important things that you can do. If you don't ask, then how do you know that a teacher is interested or not? All they can do is tell you know. Try to be detailed on what you ask them. Instead of "Hey! You want to help with our PTA?" ask "We're having a Dr. Seuss event on this date, can you help do such and such?" Be sure that when you ask for teacher help, you ask well in advance so they can adjust their schedule accordingly.

#2: Plan a Few PTA Meetings when Teachers Can Attend

Let's face it. After a long day at school, most teachers aren't going to want to come back to the school at 6 or 7 PM for a PTA meeting. Instead they'll be at home with their own families, living their own life and preparing for the following day. Try to plan a meeting at least once in a while that will allow teachers to come at a time they are already still at the school.. A good time is thirty minutes after school has gotten out and the students have gone home.

#3: Listen to Their Opinions

Teachers are a very important part of your child's life. They help mold their minds so our kids will be the leaders of the future. Teachers have plenty of good opinions. If a teacher wants to give you an opinion on something they think the PTA might be interested in, listen to what they have to say. Not every opinion is a good one but it never hurts to listen.

#4: Offer Incentives for Helping Out at Events

Teachers don't always like to give up their free time once they've left the school so to entice a teacher to help out at an event that is after school hours, offer an incentive. It could be something as simple as teachers who help out at an event get a couple of free books or balls for their class or they get a free meal at your event for helping. If they commit the time to your PTA, they deserve a little treat.

#5: Don't Overburden Them with Info or Requests

Pick and choose what help you ask for from teachers. Teachers are very busy. They won't always be able to help you. Don't keep badgering them if they don't seem interested or they've helped before. It's OK to contact them to see what they may need for their classroom but if you are emailing them several times a week reminding them about a meeting they may not want to come to or begging them to help at an event, you are going to turn them off of your PTA.

#6: Make Sure Your PTA is Professional

PTA's have a bad rap for a reason. My school's Booster Club has had a number of problems over the years and because of past members, our group has sometimes had a bad reputation that has made teachers leery to join our group. Establish your group first. Is everyone in your group filling your role responsibly? Is your group working to make a difference for your school? Let the teachers see the work that you do by way of putting on fun events, giving things back to the students. If they see that your group has a positive influence at your school, they'll be more likely to join in.