Teacher emails?

Question

How long should I wait for a teacher to reply to my emails? Email was listed as one of the best ways to contact her on the letter she sent home at beginning of the year. I have sent several emails that have gone unanswered. Up until this week they have either required no answer or not been important to class work( 1 was about upcoming class party, 1 about my son now walking to daycare from school instead of getting a ride) but now they are about problems my son is haveing w/ homework/reading that I believe are effecting his ability to do well in class. So how long should I wait before calling or going to the school to speak with her? I know she is busy but these are issues that need to be addressed before the school year progresses much further.

Melanie- Obviously you don't KNOW mothers like me.Last year I volunteered 10hours a week at my sons school and no where did I even mention work but luckily I have a fantastic boss who would let me leave in a seconds notice to attend any school meeting or function. Don't assume you know all parents.

Answer 1

Call the school on Monday morning to confirm that she actually received the emails. Sometimes the district email filter may send them to junk mail and she may not even realize that she has missed them. I can't send myself and email because @cox.net is seen as junk, in the district I work for.

She should reply within several days. I always try to respond within 24 hours. DO NOT call her at home on the weekend. She has family too! I give all my students my phone number and I take phone calls during the week, but calls on the weekend need to be truly urgent not something I can handle on Monday morning.

If you know for sure that she is receiving the emails either call or email again with a message that you will be either calling during her planning or coming up after school to talk to her. The second email needs to be sent to the Principal also, so they are aware that emails from parents are not being dealt with in a timely manner.

Answer 2

You say several mails have gone unanswered. If you are typing in the correct email address (check on the school website, maybe the letter she sent home had a typo), then looks like she does not like to communicate thru email.

That is very inconvenient for parents, as email is really great way to talk to teachers. It gives the teacher time to read the query, and come up with a reply, rather than on the phone or in person. Looks like, email is not working here. Call her, and fix up a time to meet her about 2 or 3 recent concerns.

At that meeting, ask her which is her preferred way for parents wanting to communicate with her.

From my experience, teachers are more forthcoming when you talk in person, as there is no record of what is being said.
Also, in emails, it is better to frame the question in a "sandwich format". Start wtih stating what is going right, then the problem, end with what you are doing, a possible solution, and that teacher is already doing something about it, can we do some more..."

Answer 3

I agree, 2 days max. At least she should have sent a short acknowledgment that she received your emails. I would have called the school or showed up there when you got the email pertaining to problems with your child's work. Especially since the teacher didn't respond to your prior emails.

If there is a problem like this with my child I would never handle it via email because so much expression is lost via email that you would catch in an in-person interaction.

The fact that she has neglected to respond to you may indicate a problem teacher rather than your child. Head the administrators office and tell them your experience. They will get her attention and handle things appropriately. A teacher should never be too busy to talk to a concerned parent!

Be brave,
Jammer

Answer 4

I would wait 2 school days max. But don't call her at home on the weekend, that's just rude. Yes, she's a teacher, but she also has a "real" life. Think about how you would feel if a client called you at home on the weekend because you didn't have a chance to respond to their email. Leave her a voice mail at work for her to receive Monday, and if you don't hear back by the end of Monday, call back.

Answer 5

I am a teacher, so I know how busy they are. I usually reply to e-mails within two days, sometimes sooner, sometimes longer. I never go more than 4 days without sending a reply. Maybe you should try to call her, she may be very busy with it being the beginning of the school year.

Answer 6

If it is urgent- I don't want it in an email- I want a message by telephone with a number provided where I can reach that parent. It does happen where our technology is interrupted at school, but she needs to reply.

Do not call her at home. We have lives and families as well. Call and leave a message on Monday and leave a phone number where you can be reached.

Good luck!

Answer 7

I wouldn't wait very long if it is hampering your child's ability to perform in school. Maybe a day or so.

I would first leave a message for her to call you back. If that doesn't work I would go to the school and explain that you hate to bother her, but you have tried to contact her in every other form but this one.

Don't let anything get in the way of your child's education!

Answer 8

They should reply within the day if they get the e-mail in the morning. I e-mail my some of my teachers if I am going to be away, usually they repsond within a day, at most two days. If I were you I would go to the school, call and leave a message or send a note with your son to give to the teacher. Obviously, e-mail is NOT the best way to get in touch with her.

Answer 9

I'm one of those people who feels the need to respond to parent emails regardless of the need for a response. It lets parents know I read the email. It's time you called her up. It could be that she's having technical difficulties with her email, or it could be that she's gotten behind in responding. With 20 some odd emails coming into my inbox on a daily basis and very little time to read, let alone respond to them throughout the school day, it's easy for me to overlook an important email. That could be what's happened.

Answer 10

If you haven't heard anything within about three weekdays, it would not be rude or wrong to call. It is possible that the teaxher is swamped with e-mails and it is also possible that she hasn't been able to read her e-mail for a time. Sometimes schools go through technology upgrades that can interrupt internet service. There is nothing wrong with the good old fashioned telephone or face to face conference.