1. Show Up to Class: Your physical presence at your child's school is an excellent way to communicate that school is an important job. Your presence shows that you are taking the time and so should they. This can be accomplished in simple ways such as sharing the commute, bringing your child to or from school at least once a week, or perhaps stopping in for a lunch meeting in the cafeteria. These gestures provide valuable one-on-one time, particularly for divorced and busy dads.

2. Do Your Schoolwork: Your involvement in the social and administrative functions of your child's school is symbolic for a child and should not be left up to mom alone. By attending parent-teacher meetings, Back-to-School Nights or PTA gatherings, you lead by example, demonstrating your commitment as a dad to your child's job at school.

3. Don't Be Shy: Let your child know that you are in contact with their boss. Introduce yourself to your child's teacher in person or through email and stay in touch, even when things are going well. This demonstrates to the teacher that you can be called upon to help with your child, and shows your child that you are part of the classroom team.

4. Be the Manager: One of the most challenging aspects of any job is staying organized, and this is a critical skill you can teach your child though your approach to their school work. Be sure to find out about your child's class subjects and daily assignments, as well as following up on homework to be sure it is completed correctly and on time. Provide a road map for your child by sharing your expectations and discussing upcoming events during the school year. The advance planning keeps your child from being caught off guard and overwhelmed.

5. Be Patient: The desire for instant results and gratification is an increasing staple of our culture, but is not helpful to developing a strong and enduring work ethic in children. Modeling a calm, measured approach to work shows your child how to complete a task with diligence rather than rushing through to the finish.

6. Stay Positive: If your child isn't doing the job of meeting your academic standards, let them know that you expect them to do better on future assignments, but don't turn homework into a war zone. By responding with positive encouragement rather than threats or punishment, you motivate your child to rise to the occasion. In the event that special tutoring is necessary, don't make your child feel ashamed. Let them know that getting help is okay.

7. Encourage Learning: Don't yell at your child when they don't understand an assignment. The goal is real learning, not just having the right answer. If your child needs help with a difficult assignment, work through it and help them understand how the process leads to the final answer. Ask focused, step-by-step questions. It's okay if you can't answer a particular question. It shows your child that no one has "all the answers" but that it's possible to find them. Research together to seek out the answer. On the same note, don't try to play "Dad to the Rescue" or be a know-it-all. If you try to solve problems for your child, you will foster dependence rather than the self-sufficiency. Letting your child discover their own capabilities builds confidence that will help them be an active player.

8. Gimme an "F": Be fun! Maintaining a work-life balance is a challenge for most adults, so teaching your child the value of downtime and recreational activity should start early. It's important that academic requirements are met but not at the expense of other important commitments such as sports activities or dance lessons. Remember that pursuing other interests is healthy for a child's overall self-concept and acceptance, which is far more important than just getting straight A's. Be your child's personal cheerleader in all that they do.

9. Get the Gift of Gab: You don't have to be the school gossip, but realize that a child's social life is a very powerful force, shaping their experience and satisfaction with school, and ultimately affecting their academic performance. Be sure to ask your child questions about teachers, lunch, recess, friends and school activities. Dig a little deeper to build rapport and find out about what types of peer pressure -- positive -- or negative your child experiences so they can come to you if they need help.

10. Bring Your Work Home: Make time for your child to tell you about their day, and take the time to share yours as well. This helps illuminate the similarities and complexities that exist in school and at work, linking the two together in a child's mind. To illustrate the point further, you can suggest that your child's school implement a program that brings parents into the classroom to describe their careers. This is a great way to help kids realize the broad range of opportunities available to them after they graduate from their first job -- as a student.

These tips can be used for both boys and girls, who, as Poulter suggests, need the same level of fatherly involvement in their education. "Fathers often remain on the sidelines, but when they step up their involvement they are helping their child get the first foot in the door to their future."