Book excerpt: Understanding Independent School Parents is a practical guide for teachers provides advice for forging successful relationships with independent school parents. Written by a seasoned school psychologist and an experienced classroom teacher, this book aims to help teachers and administrators understand today's families and maintain healthy relationships with them. Readers will learn how to create school environments that support both teachers and parents, make the most of parent conferences, and manage those disruptive and difficult "five percenter" parents who can make a teacher's life miserable.