How Can We Best Engage Families? is the new “question of the week” at my Education Week Teacher blog.
You can leave your responses in the comments section here or there….
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How Can We Best Engage Families? is the new “question of the week” at my Education Week Teacher blog.
You can leave your responses in the comments section here or there….
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First, we must realize that every parent has done the best they can at raising their child. They’ve given us the best child that they are able to give us.
Secondly, it’s always helpful to start every conversation with a general and gentle reminder, “We’re all here because we want what’s best for [the child].”
But beyond that it’s important that you set the tone early in the year that you, as a teacher, want to involve the parents and that educating their son/daughter is a team effort. My welcome to my class (first day letter) had 3 questions: 1) What are your child’s strengths; 2) What are some areas that you would like your child to improve on? 3) Is there anything else about your child that you’d like me to know.
The responses to these questions were always illuminating and helpful, but they also created a sense of openness with parents. Beyond that, my welcome letter included my cell phone number with the invitation to contact me whenever needed.
Most importantly, whenever meeting with parents, I took the time to ask questions and listen.