Embedded Files
COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION
It can be intimidating to contact a parent regarding their child, whether it's due to the nature of the contact or because the parent is the expert on their child. Regardless, communication between staff and families is an important ingredient in the recipe of student success. Below are some suggestions to support staff in communicating with families.
It can be intimidating to contact a parent regarding their child, whether it's due to the nature of the contact or because the parent is the expert on their child. Regardless, communication between staff and families is an important ingredient in the recipe of student success. Below are some suggestions to support staff in communicating with families.
Be Proactive - Don’t wait for problems to arise. Make it a point to communicate frequently and positively so that you have already developed a relationship before you hit bumps in the road. With the technology available these days, teachers should be able to update families at least once a week about what’s going on in the classroom. Use multiple types of communication—social media, email, and the tried-and-true hard-copy newsletter.
Be Proactive - Don’t wait for problems to arise. Make it a point to communicate frequently and positively so that you have already developed a relationship before you hit bumps in the road. With the technology available these days, teachers should be able to update families at least once a week about what’s going on in the classroom. Use multiple types of communication—social media, email, and the tried-and-true hard-copy newsletter.
Don't Take it Personally - If a parent lashes out at you, they’re voicing frustration at not being able to help their children. Instead of becoming defensive, ask yourself, “Other than being out to get me, what would motivate them to say this?” Think about what someone could say to you to de-escalate the situation and indicate an open mind if the situation were reversed. For example, if a parent says, “You’re out to get my child,” try saying, “I’m sorry you think that. Can you tell me what’s happened to make you feel this way?”
Don't Take it Personally - If a parent lashes out at you, they’re voicing frustration at not being able to help their children. Instead of becoming defensive, ask yourself, “Other than being out to get me, what would motivate them to say this?” Think about what someone could say to you to de-escalate the situation and indicate an open mind if the situation were reversed. For example, if a parent says, “You’re out to get my child,” try saying, “I’m sorry you think that. Can you tell me what’s happened to make you feel this way?”
Ask Parents/Guardians for Advice - If a student is exhibiting negative behaviors, invite the parent to suggest what works at home. Sometimes the parent may not observe this behavior at home, which is a great opportunity to invite the parent to class. Even if the parent can’t give you help or make it to the classroom, you will still make your relationship stronger by showing that you value their input.
Get Involved in the Community - When you appear at sports events, festivals, and other community activities, you send the message to the children and their families that you care about the whole person, not just the student. Families understand that, to you, it’s not “us and them,” but “we.” Even though students may have the perception that your entire life revolves around them, most families realize that you’re sacrificing your free time to show support for their children, and they appreciate it.
Choose Your "Battles" - If you and a parent disagree, always look first for a compromise that will benefit the student and preserve your relationship with the parent. If you are not inclined to compromise, ask yourself if your method is really the one that’s best for the student and whether it’s likely to improve the situation. Sometimes there are circumstances impacting our students that we are not aware of and creativity and flexibility become the key to student success. For example, if a student never completes homework despite the fact that you call home and discipline accordingly, you may need to find a different way to successfully help the student practice skills instead of spending an entire school year in conflict about homework.
We All Make Mistakes - Families will understand when staff acknowledges having made a mistake. As long as they perceive that you’re really trying to do what’s best for their child, they will often appreciate the effort you put in to correcting the mistake.
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