When I was a classroom teacher, the relationships and communication I had with my students' parents were crucial to the success of my students. When parents know that you know their child, that you really "get" their child and that you care about their well being (social, emotional, and academic), they will be on your side forever. More than that, their child will understand that the most influential adults in their lives are on the same team- and they'll start fighting for the same thing you're fighting for- their own growth and success.
Here's this week's Valentine's Day challenge:
Call or send the parent of one of your most "challenging" students a purely POSITIVE "love note." It doesn't have to be long, or eloquent... just be sincere. What is something you see in their child that you love? Did he make you laugh today? Did she work through a tough math problem? Did he help another student? Did she say something that made you stop and think? Share it!
And before you send that note home or make that call, be sure to call over your student and share it with him/her first. I used to have the student stand next to me and look over my shoulder as I wrote their parent a quick e-mail sharing good news. Talk about guaranteeing wonderful behavior for the rest of the day!
Share your results here (keep the students anonymous)- how did it make your chosen student and his/her parents feel? How did it make you feel?
Here are more resources for building relationships with parents!
20 Tips for Developing Positive Relationships with Parents
8 Tips for Reaching out to Parents
Here's this week's Valentine's Day challenge:
Call or send the parent of one of your most "challenging" students a purely POSITIVE "love note." It doesn't have to be long, or eloquent... just be sincere. What is something you see in their child that you love? Did he make you laugh today? Did she work through a tough math problem? Did he help another student? Did she say something that made you stop and think? Share it!
And before you send that note home or make that call, be sure to call over your student and share it with him/her first. I used to have the student stand next to me and look over my shoulder as I wrote their parent a quick e-mail sharing good news. Talk about guaranteeing wonderful behavior for the rest of the day!
Share your results here (keep the students anonymous)- how did it make your chosen student and his/her parents feel? How did it make you feel?
Here are more resources for building relationships with parents!
20 Tips for Developing Positive Relationships with Parents
8 Tips for Reaching out to Parents