ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the issues that new teachers have faced regarding the relationships they have with their colleagues and the parents and carers of the children they teach, and how best to deal with them. Regarding over-zealous parental involvement in a child's school work, this is an issue usually best handled by a head teacher. Comments from parents should be listened to but don't necessarily have to be taken on board if they have no grounding in reality. A PTA is a parent teacher association. Most schools have them and they plan and run fund-raising events for the benefit of the school. A well-run PTA with committed members can make a tremendous difference to school life for both teachers and pupils. It can be difficult to maintain good relationships with colleagues when teachers feel busy during their working day and that every minute counts.
