In the final part of our week long series, we take a look at the top five things teachers want from parents and what parents want from teachers.

Cathy Hunt says, "I love working with children and watching them learn and I think I'm making a difference." But, Hunt who has been teaching for 31 years says, she can't do it alone. Here's her list of the top 5 things parents can do to make sure their child's education adds up to success.

1. Communicate with teachers and attend all conferences, including after school events and programs.

2. Make sure your kids get enough sleep. Hunt says, "We really tax their brains during the day so they need to be alert and they need to have had enough sleep."

3. Check your child's backpack. Teachers often send weekly news letters and progress reports.

4. Continue reading to your child every day, even after they start reading. Hunt says, "It's really important for your child to be hearing you read to them and hearing those words and all those sounds fit together."

5. Play educational games at home.

Jay Affeldt is a 9 year veteran at Memorial High School. He teaches science and has his own top 5 list.

1. Communicate and speed up the "get to know you" process. Let the teacher know if your child has specific needs. Affeldt says, "Teachers can only be most effective if they know what a student needs to be successful."

2. Listen to your kids. Know what subjects they like and don't like, who their friends are, what they're doing after school. Make sure they're getting enough sleep and nutrition.

3. Be available to help with homework. Even if the school work is above a level you'd be able to help with, be there to support them. Find out if they need extra help.

4. Monitor progress throughout the year. Affeldt says, "Talk to that student find out, did you have a test in that class yet, how did it go, are you having fun, what's your hardest class?"

5. Get involved. Attend parent groups, sporting events and other extracurricular activities.

Beth Kaplan is the mother of two boys, one in elementary and one middle school. She says, "You don't want to feel like you're dropping them off at the school door and you don't know what's happening."

Parents like Beth Kaplan have a few suggestions of their own and communication tops that list. Parents want to know teachers are available and accessible.

Second, they want to know what kids will be learning throughout the year.

Lastly, they want students in the same classes to be given similar amounts of homework. Kaplan says, "The worry there is more are they getting enough practice?"

Parents of high school students also want teachers to use the new Infinite Classroom website which allows parents to easily access grades and find out when assignments are due. And, parents also want high school teachers to work closely with student athletes when they miss classes and have to make up assignments.