Let’s talk about talking with parents. I’ve known teachers on both sides of the fence. Some that go above and beyond to include parents and others who work hard to keep them at a distance. I challenge you this year to consider where you stand on the subject and ask yourself why? How did you form your philosophies on parent communication and involvement? Is there a connection between your student success and your connection with their family? I’m reading Ditch That Homework by Matt Miller and Alice Keeler, another must read. It is not all about eliminating homework but rather, strategies for effectively teaching and eliminating the need for homework. I’d like to talk about homework in the next post, so I’ll move on. To me, your students’ success can be drastically increased by building a relationship with their parents. In their book, Matt and Alice suggest “If we want students to learn and parents to support that learning, they need to buy into the importance of learning. One of the best ways to get students and parents to buy in is to improve our relationships with them.” Buy in from families also increases student accountability and motivation. When they see you as someone who cares about them beyond the classroom, students are more likely to open up to you, work hard and form their own connection with you. They already want to make their parents happy, so knowing that you have connected with their parents pushes them to step up their game. Parent connection should start early in the year and focus on the positive. Two points of positive parent contact to jumpstart your relationship with families:
2. Call, just to say something good. Early in my teaching career someone shared this idea with me. Call with something good to say early on so if you have to call later with a negative issue you’ve already established a connection based on a positive point. Parents will believe you have their child’s best interest in mind when you’ve made an effort to see the good in their kid, and take the time to share it. Be genuine and specific.
Each year when I make these calls they are so rewarding. One, it gives me an opportunity to start learning about the whole kid and what's going on with them. Two, I’ve learned about past traumas, busy schedules, interests, needs and so much more. Each year I am always shocked by two comments that I am sure to hear at least once on both sides…
These calls, they take time. Honestly, a lot. The beginning of the year is busy. It may even take you a month to build a connection with the kiddo that allows you to build that positive conversation but I promise you, IT IS WORTH IT. I have laughed, cried, and gained so much understanding. This understanding allows me to best teach that individual student. If I have the opportunity to understand what a child’s life is like outside of my classroom it is so powerful in helping me understand what is going on with them regarding their school work and behavior. Gaining that understanding and building a relationship with parents that will increase their support of what's happening in the classroom couldn’t possibly lead to anything besides a successful year for that kiddo.
1 Comment
Sue Airoldi
8/13/2018 04:30:24 pm
I’ve asked parents to write me a letter about their child each year!
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Niki EgelhoffI love learning and sharing ideas. Please join in my conversations. Archives
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