In my last post I discussed the importance of parent involvement and the effects that it has on a student’s education. While parents are ultimately responsible for their own involvement, the way a public school operates can influence how active parents become. A school can be a very intimidating place for parents, especially if they had difficulties in school when they were younger. Parents are not solely responsible for their own participation. School professionals need to reassure parents that they are welcome and valued.
Parents… I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Teachers love to show off their education. They will use terms and phrases in conversation that only other educators would recognize. Don’t be discouraged. We are no more intelligent than you, we just have specific training in current educational practices. If you don’t understand, ask for clarification. We will not judge you or view you as ignorant and we will be more than happy to explain. As for the teachers out there, don’t forget your ultimate purpose is to help educate your students. If you don’t help parents to understand what their child is doing in school and how to reinforce it at home, then you are not fulfilling your purpose. Technical terms tend to intimidate parents. Choose your words carefully and explain yourself. Parents will not get involved if they feel they have nothing to add and if they don’t understand what you are saying, what could they possibly contribute?
Here’s another secret for the parents out there. Society has become quite accusatory over the past few years and, quite honestly, it makes teachers nervous. In my first few years of teaching I would dread calling parents on the phone. What did I do wrong? Why are they calling me? Will I sound educated enough? Will they ask me a question I didn’t have an answer to? This line of thought would put me on the defensive, even before the parent opened their mouth to explain the reason for their phone call. No wonder many parents find communication with teachers difficult. We’re already defending our work with students before we even know the topic of conversation! How can we address the parent’s concern properly if we are never open enough to listen without judgment? Perhaps the parent is unhappy with something that happened in the classroom … maybe they just have a question… either way, they need to know that their input is valued and will be taken seriously. If we complain about the lack of parent involvement, but treat parents with disdain when they contact us, we are the ones to blame. Classrooms need to be parent friendly places. After all, they are entrusting us all day with their most precious belonging. We need to prove to them that we deserve that trust, and the only way to do that is to have open communication.
How to Create a Parent Friendly Classroom
- Call each one of your parents before school starts. Letters are impersonal, while calling will help you to develop a relationship with parents. Introduce yourself and provide some tidbit of personal information, then ask a parent a non-invasive personal question such as “Did your family do anything exciting this summer?” Exchanging information on a personal level, no matter how trivial the information may seem, will allow parents to view you as a real person who is approachable.
- Provide parents with two ways to communicate with you. Parents are not always available to discuss their children during working hours. Email or communication books allow parents to stay in contact without inconveniencing them.
- Invite parents into your classroom, and more importantly, have them do a meaningful activity with the kids. Have them do a read aloud or play an educational game. Don’t just send them to the copy room with a pile of papers to copy. Making copies will NOT make them feel valued. Instead it will emphasize feelings of inadequacy in regard to their child’s education that they may already have.
- Send home a monthly classroom newsletter keeping parents apprised of important information. Include work samples from different students each month so parents can see what you are working on.
- Most importantly, stay away from technical jargon. Speak in parent-friendly terms. In order to develop a relationship with parents, you must make them feel comfortable.
I’m not saying these suggestions will solve the problem of poor parent involvement that we are plagued with in America, but it will certainly improve it for some. The First Days of School: How to Be and Effective Teacher by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong is an excellent resource if you are looking for more ideas.
