The Parent-Teacher Relationship

A Shevat 5727 (1967) answer from the Rebbe regarding the proper relationship between educators to their students and their parents:

במענה לשאלתה: בכלל – הוראת חז”ל שעל האדם להיות מעורב בין הבריות ובפרט – המתעסקים בחינוך שעליהם להיות בקירוב גם עם הורי הילדים שזה מוסיף בהשפעתם על התלמידים גם בשיחת חולין (באם אינה שיחה אסורה) והראי’ שנצטווינו גם עלי’: בכל דרכיך דעהו. אלא שצריך לעשות זה בלי בליטות (וכמו בכל ענינים האדם).

In response to your question: in general, Chazal direct a person to be social, and this is specifically important to those who are involved in education.

Namely, that they must have a close relationship also with the parents of the children they teach, as this adds in their ability to have a positive influence on the students. When making “small talk,” possible because of this relationship (if it isn’t prohibited speech), the teacher can divert the conversation to a beneficial topic.

The proof that idle conversation can be beneficial is the fact that also regarding such an activity we were commanded: “Know Him in all your ways.”

However, this must be done unobtrusively (like with all of a person’s matters).■