Are you ready for a reality check? As a teacher, I can assure you that parent-teacher communication is not only important, but it’s essential. And let’s be real, it’s not always a piece of cake. But fear not, my friends, because I’m here to share with you my experiences and tips on how to establish effective communication with your students’ parents. As a teacher with five years of experience, I’ve learned that communication is a two-way street. It’s not just about delivering information; it’s also about actively listening and engaging in a dialogue with parents.
Establish a positive relationship
Building a positive relationship with parents is crucial for effective parent-teacher communication. It helps to establish trust and respect, which ultimately leads to better outcomes for students. To build a positive relationship, always try to show interest in the family and their child, learning about their interests and backgrounds, and showing a genuine interest in their lives outside of school. Greet them warmly at drop-off and pick-up times and make time to talk with them during parent-teacher conferences. Try to reach out to parents regularly, whether it be through phone calls, emails, or sending home positive notes about their child.
Set clear expectations
Setting expectations is key to creating a positive relationship with parents and ensuring their involvement in their child’s education. When it comes to setting expectations, the first step is to be clear about your classroom policies and procedures. Make sure to communicate these policies to parents at the beginning of the school year through a welcome letter, a classroom handbook, and a parent-teacher conference. This way, there is no confusion about your expectations for behavior, homework, communication, and anything else that is relevant to the classroom.
You also need make sure to set clear expectations for parent-teacher communication. This includes informing parents of my preferred method of communication, whether it be email, phone, or in-person meetings. I encourage parents to reach out to me with any questions or concerns, but I also set boundaries to ensure that I am not overwhelmed with communication outside of school hours.
It is also important to remember that setting expectations is a two-way street. Make sure to listen to parents’ expectations and concerns, and bewilling to make adjustments to your policies and procedures as needed. Ultimately, the goal is to create a partnership between parents and yourself, with the shared goal of supporting the child’s education and growth.
Keep parents informed
You can use a variety of methods to keep parents informed. For example you can send weekly newsletters via email, which include updates on class activities, assignments, and important dates. You can also use a class website and social media to share photos and updates on classroom activities. Additionally, make sure to provide parents with my contact information and encourage them to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
The no-nos
It’s important to remember that parents are our partners in education and we should never talk down to them or dismiss their concerns. It’s also important to avoid using jargon or educational acronyms, that they may not understand. As educators, we are used to using certain terms and acronyms that may be unfamiliar to parents who are not in the education field. It is important to remember to speak in plain language and explain any educational terms or jargon that we use. This can help to avoid confusion and ensure that parents fully understand the information being shared.
Enjoy and happy teaching x
Siana's World 