Tips for New Teachers

#1 ~ Establish positive parent communication.

As the school year begins, take time that first week to contact all of your students' parents.  Whether you've already met them at "Meet the Teacher" night or not, I cannot begin to explain how important it is to establish positive communication with the parents of your students.  In the first week of school, I make sure to personally (...and briefly...) speak to each and every one of my parents.  Yes, it seems time consuming, but really it's not.  I take my class list and make about five phone calls a night.  By the end of the first week, I have spoken with each parent.  The conversation is very simple and goes something like this:

"Hi Mrs. Smith!  This is Ms. McCabe, Jonny's teacher.  I just wanted to touch base and let you know that Jonny is off to a great start in second grade.  I am so happy to have him in class and look forward to working with you throughout the year.  Have a great night!"

Doing this sets the precedent that you plan on working as a team for the benefit of their child, and that when you call, it's not always bad news.  I have had many parents tell me how nice it is to receive a "good" phone call about their child.  Too often, parents only hear from teachers when something bad happens, or someone is in trouble.  This makes parents cringe when they see the school's number pop up on their caller ID.  Think about the times you, as a child, saw your school's phone number on the caller ID...you were shaking in your boots!  Don't do this to your students...make them smile when they see your number.

Continue to make positive phone calls throughout the year.  Call to inform parents of a student who reaches their fluency or math goal, makes a really good choice, is extra helpful to a friend, etc.  You see the point...make positive phone calls (or send emails).

Of course, you will still need to make those "bad" calls as well, but I will promise you that parents are much more receptive to the "bad" calls when they know you are also recognizing the good in their child.

Here is a link to a simple, but effective parent/teacher communication log from Jessica Winston-Saunders at The Teaching Oasis  Remember to document ALL forms of communication, including those positive phone calls!