It is easy to define our roles when we are teaching our children at home.  My role, as parent and home educator, is to disseminate information in a creative and interesting way while my child is to learn the information in the best way for him.  But things can get a bit hazy and blurred when we sign our students up for an on-line class or when they participate in a co-op.  I now find myself in all of those environments.  I am a homeschool mom, I teach on-line classes, and I teach for a local co-op.  So I understand first-hand how frustration can set in when roles and expectations are not clear.   I believe it helps to see goals and expectations from all of three perspectives.

From a teacher’s perspective, here are a few of the goals for my on-line and co-op classes:

• To help students achieve high school level knowledge of the subject
• To provide opportunities for students to perform labs, gain understanding of the scientific method, proper technique with equipment usage, and improve their critical thinking, observation skills, and attention to details
• To help prepare students for college by developing their skills in studying, student responsibility for assignments, teacher/student communication

To achieve those goals, expectations are that I, as the teacher, will:

• Present material-answering questions, clarifying confusing points
• Set pacing for course, adjusting if necessary
• Ensure that major topics/required course content is covered
• Set up and help students perform labs
• Issue and grade assignments

So what about the students?  What is expected of them?

• Keep up with assignments  
• Do assigned reading
• Complete classwork and homework
• Turn assignments in on time
• Contact the teacher if there are questions or problems
• Listen in class and participate in class discussions

And lastly, what can parents do when they are not the primary instructor?  What is their role?

• Monitor their child’s progress
• Help them at home if they need help with organization, motivation, studying, and clarification of assignment
• Encourage them to interact with other students and teachers respectfully and in a self-advocating way
• Check answer keys/study guides
• Proctor tests by establishing an appropriate testing environment

Kerrie Childress has a love for science that she desires to pass along to every student she teaches. She graduated in 1996 with a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Bob Jones University and in 2001 with a M.A. in Health and Exercise Science from Furman University.  She has over 15 years of teaching experience in 3 states and several different platforms. Kerrie is also currently teaching on-line for a local community college as well as teaching science classes at Excelsior Classes.