I will begin the year with a letter sent home to parents. The letter will both introduce myself and my goals/expectations for their child's upcoming class. My contact info will be included, and parents will be encouraged to reach out with questions or concerns. To affirm every parent gets a chance to read the letter, students will return the paper with a parent's signature for 10 points.
At least once a semester, each parent will receive an encouraging email detailing specific and meaningful praise on one aspect where their child has succeeded in my class. I will send more frequent encouraging feedback for students who may struggle with behavior or academics. This communication will nurture a positive relationship with these parents in case any negative behavior happens to arise further down the line.
Student's should be responsible for their actions and thus will be addressed first regarding all discipline issues. If the problem persists or is serious, parents will be notified through email, called for suggestions on how to resolve the problem, or encouraged to meet face-to-face to discuss further.
All meetings will take place in a public space: the school or a cafe if they are not available during school hours.
I will use a four-pronged approach to dealing with parent complaints.
1. I will mainly listen. Feeling heard can often help one feel calmer.
2. I will acknowledge their point. By reaffirming I am genuinely considering their perspective, I can establish respect in the working relationship.
3. We will plan together for what action to take next. This may involve individual conferencing with the student, adjusting deadlines, or meeting face-to-face to discuss further.
4. Student success is always the main concern.
I would love to get parents involved by inviting them to share occasional presentations on a speciality of their's ranging from career advice to unique skills.