Room Moms (or Dads) are important to your classroom. They will usually take over parties, celebrations and events. They will often coordinate door decorations, holiday games, and act as a liaison between the teacher and the parents in the class. The younger the children are in your class, the more volunteers you will have for a Room Mom. Kindergarten and first grade parents often compete for this job while fifth grade teachers often have to beg someone to take it. If you have more than one volunteer, choose carefully. You want someone who is organized, respected by teachers and parents, and committed to helping without interfering. That’s a tall order. Sometimes the Room Mom is so helpful to the teacher that she almost feels entitled to information that is protected by FERPA or offers to give you information she found out at the hair salon about the marriage of Suzy’s parents. You need this person in your classroom but approach with caution, maintaining a professional boundary.

Please don’t forget to include your PEC parents. They  appreciate being asked to participate in an activity in their child’s class. It can give them a sense of “belonging” in the school setting, which may have been a challenge to navigate with their PEC child.

Pamela Webster, M. Ed., SPED