Teacher Communication With Parents
Timely and Focused Responses Alleviate Future Problems
Feb 5, 2009
Communication with parents is one of the most basic and important aspects of a teacher’s daily routine. Early communication of non-performance trends alleviates future problems and helps the student to improve before the average score hits the “point of no return” in terms of passing the class. Additionally, timely responses to parent communication also eliminate possible conferences or the involvement of school administration. Ultimately, teachers must not feel intimidated by parent communications and should take the lead in contacting parents.
Combating the Fear of Dealing with Parents
Many teachers, especially first year or novice teachers, often view parent communication as a threat. New teachers are instinctively vulnerable and prone to become defensive in the face of simple inquiries. The best way to combat these initial fears is to see parents as real partners in the educational process. In the majority of cases, parents sincerely want their children to do well and are looking for professional collaborative help in achieving progress.
Although there are the rare examples of parents that tend to blame the teacher for every perceived problem, the greater numbers of parents are usually seeking an explanation for poor performance and recommendations for improvement. These parents appreciate speedy feedback in terms of a telephone call or email message. The best rule of thumb is to reply to parent inquiries the same day they are received. Parents appreciate speedy replies and become more willing to see the teacher as an active participant in their child’s progress.
Simple Tips to Sustain Good Parent Relationships
- Answer parent inquiries the same day they are received.
- Keep the response to the pertinent questions or problems raised.
- Be positive in the response.
- Include specifics in the response such as recent scores and other performance indicators.
- Suggest improvement techniques such as study skills or test preparation methodology.
If initiating the communication, teachers should:
- Clearly define the problem.
- Give cogent examples.
- Suggest steps for improvement.
- Offer to meet with the parents.
Keeping Communication Professional
No teacher should ever be required to disclose a personal telephone number to parents or students. School communication should be professionally handled through the institutional telephone system and email service. All written communication should be on official school stationary with a copy archived by the appropriate administrative office.
All communication should be expressed intelligently, avoiding colloquial expressions, and focused solely on the immediate concern. Parents appreciate professionalism and expect communication on that level. Well constructed communication that is planned and edited will eliminate complaints and avoid long term discourse.
Effects of Good Parent Communication
Good parent communication builds invaluable bridges. Parents realize that the teacher is on their side, earnestly working together to improve a negative situation. Whether grades, deportment, or motivation, good parent communication will result in a team effort to break the negative cycle and help the student progress toward success in the class.
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