Have you met your child's teacher yet? How about the principal? Experts say you should do it as soon as possible so you can begin that important partnership.

Open houses have been taking place at schools across North Texas all week. Pam Meyercord, Immediate Past President and Board Member of the National PTA, tells News 8 these are the important questions parents should ask teachers:

First, ask how teachers prefer to communicate with parents. Is it e-mail, voicemail, notes sent home with a child, or a folder with information that may be sent home with a child? But Meyercord warns parents not to assume e-mail is the best way to contact a teacher.

What are the teacher’s expectations of a student? What are kids learning this year?

How many major projects should parents expect? It could be a science fair or Imagination Celebration. This way, parents can budget time and money.

How much homework should parents expect? Is it nightly, weekly? This way, parents can follow up with their child to make sure it’s getting done.

How much time should students spend on homework at night? For example, it if should take 30 minutes, but it takes your child two hours, then your child may need additional instruction.

How are missed assignments and tests handed? What is the teacher’s make up policy?

For middle and high school students, parents should ask more subject specific questions, like is there a math club or school newspaper. Parents should focus on what you already know are your child’s special interests. And ask what you as a parent can do to support that extracurricular activity.

The most important question for all grade levels, according to Meyercord, is what type and how much outside reading is expected of a student. Ask, is there a book list? And, how often are students assigned a book report or project related to reading?

While this is a comprehensive list, Meyercord encourages parents to be patient, and try not to interrogate teachers during the first meeting, "It's intimidating for the teachers, because they feel like they're on trial with all of these new parents coming in. So I would say, walk in with an attitude that this is going to be a great year. And you're child needs to know that you think it's going to be a great year too."

Initial parent-teacher meetings are also an opportunity to let teachers know about any specific issue about your child. Discuss hearing, visual, physical, or learning disabilities. And Meyercord says open houses are a chance for "meeting the other parents, the principal, the school nurse, the counselor, the assistant principal, the librarian. Those people have a tremendous impact on your child's life too, not just that classroom teacher."

Meyercord says parents are an important component in the overall learning environment. She recommends that parents should also ask how they can support what's going on in the classrooms. Specifically, parents should ask:What kind of help does the teacher need? Classroom volunteers? Driving or chaperoning on field trips? Do teachers need more help during specific time of the year? Perhaps when there is a big classroom project? Does the teacher need parents to come in and talk about careers, job opportunities or internships?

Even if parents don’t have a lot of time, pitching in a little bit will go a long way. It will help create the overall academic environment teachers are trying to achieve, benefiting all students. And, Meyercord says, this will also help build a rapport with teachers, and makes parents appear supportive, instead of being demanding only when there is an issue with your child.

This is also the time of year when parents are either trying to get their child in a specific classroom, or out of a specific classroom. Meyercord says parents should give new teachers a chance, even if an older child had a favorite teacher, or if there is a school favorite. If there has been a problem with a teacher in previous years, she says give it some time, and try to work it out with the teacher. Let your school know that you are willing to work them and seek the assistance of a counselor, principal and dean of students. Meyercord recommends that parents exhaust all of their resources before demanding to immediately pull their child out of a specific classroom.

"Don't always assume that it is that classroom teacher. And don't forget that, your child does need to be exposed to different teachers, different adults, different teaching styles throughout their schooling. Because they're not always going to be dealing with the same type, style of adult, or a boss eventually in life. And you got to learn to get along with these people, and work with them." Meyercord says parents should accept that each teacher is different, and that teachers are people too. They’re not perfect, and can be dealing with a parent dying of cancer, a divorce, or any other life problems during the course of the school year.

Once school starts, here are some tips Meyercord says will help maintain a good relationship with your child’s teacher:

Don’t presume that teachers want parents to drop in early in the morning, or after class. Teachers can't abandon their work for surprise parental visits. Always schedule a conference and never pop up and expect to discuss a problem. She says teachers love to have parents around, but don't do well with drop-ins. Always initiate communicate with your child’s teacher. And be sure to respond promptly when teacher tries to communicate. Show up for events like back to school nights, PTA meetings, etc. She says become a part of the school and district.

An involved parent is a teacher's best ally when it comes to a child's education. And it's never too early to get involved.