When I first started teaching, I found it really hard to build relationships with parents. I was really nervous, and I had a hard time getting over that! The truth is, building positive relationships with parents is one of the most important things you will do as a teacher. I’m not gonna lie, it’s HARD, and takes a lot of energy that you most likely don’t have left at the end of the day, but you need parents to be your partners in the classroom! Here are some tips for establishing positive parent-teacher communication that will help you establish a positive relationship with parents.
Let families know how to get in touch with you
The best way to contact you shouldn’t be a mystery. Make sure families know your email address and any phone numbers they can use to get in touch with you (I don’t give out my personal number, but I make sure to give out the school’s phone number). I give out magnetic teacher contact cards so families can keep them right on the fridge, and don’t have to worry about losing my info!
Also make sure to give out any information regarding communication apps, and provide detailed information about how to get connected to the app.
Communicate early
It’s never too early to contact parents. I send a message right after Open House, and let families know it was great to meet them. If it’s too much to contact every family in the same night, keep a checklist, and contact a few families each night.
Communicate often
DO NOT let your first time contacting families be when there’s a problem. (Do I need to repeat that?) Make sure you communicate often with families so they don’t panic when they see a message from you. Parents are also more likely to trust you if you talk with them frequently about things other than the “bad stuff.”
Share the positive
Along the same lines as communicate often, make sure you’re contacting parents often about the great things their kids are doing. Be as specific as you can, and try to avoid generalizations. By being specific, parents know that you were really paying attention to their child, and really care. In addition, if you do have to call a parent about an issue at school, make sure to start the conversation with something positive.
Be Timely
Last, but not least, when a parent contacts you, be prompt in your response. That doesn’t mean you need to check your email every ten minutes, but it does mean that you shouldn’t wait more than a day before responding. I tell families that I will respond within 24 hours. This gives me some wiggle room in case they email late at night, or I need to speak with a colleague before responding. (You can even put this disclaimer right on your contact magnet!)
Ready to get started building positive parent teacher communication? Click on the images below to access the resources that I use every year!
