Start Off Right With Positive Parent Communication

Okay, let’s talk about parent communication. Parent communication is one of those things that can make or break your year. Yes, it’s that important.

While most veteran teachers can think of an unreasonably difficult parent or two, fortunately, difficult parents are few and far between. Most parents want to like you. They want to be on the same team. It’s important to build on that. So, what can we as teachers do to build rapport and establish a positive relationship?

Keep Your Initial Parent Communication Positive

• Reach out and make positive contact. When I was in the classroom, teachers didn’t reveal their class rosters until Sneak-a-Peek.  I always tried to make it a positive event because it was my first opportunity to build relationships with my students and their families. I usually got to meet most of my students and their parents, but I always had some who couldn’t make it. I’d make an effort to call the parents who couldn’t make it. I’d introduce myself and let them know I was excited about working with their child.
• Find the good in each child. During the first week of school, I would make an effort to call each parent with something positive about their child. I’d also use it as an opportunity to establish the line of communication and ask if the parents had any questions. Usually, they didn’t have any questions yet, but I would let them know how to contact me if they thought of any later.

Keep Track Of Your Parent Communication

• Be consistent. You’ll simply send most papers home, but you’re going to be responsible for getting parents to fill out certain hardcopy papers. Set up a system early. It’s much easier for parents to stay on top of their end if you have a system in place. A weekly or daily folder works well for this. Most parents will look if they know when and where to find papers.
• Organize the paperwork. Once you get the papers back, you’ll need to keep track of them. I find it helpful to print off a bunch of copies of my class roster at the start of the year on colored paper. I punch holes in them and put them in a binder. As I send home forms that will be coming back, I label a roster sheet with the form name. I added a blank copy behind the roster in case I need to send second copies home. I highlighted student names and put the returned sheets behind the roster. That way it was easy to tell who has and hasn’t returned things at a glance. I can run extra copies, remind students, and call parents easily.

Document Your Conversations

• Documentation helps you remember.  Since people have short-term memories, we don’t always remember conversations perfectly. Sometimes, people may remember conversations differently. Your notes will show exactly what was discussed. It can also help you remember to follow up on concerns. Remember to document phone calls and hallway conversations, too.
• Documentation protects you. It’s a CYA thing. The records can help you if a question comes up. For example, a parent complained that they weren’t told about an upcoming meeting. I simply pulled out the record log of our conversation, the email reminder I had sent, and the notification form they had signed.

Think Before You Send

• Respect parents’ privacy. An email list can be great for easy communication, but not everyone will be okay with the whole class seeing their email address. At one school where I worked, we had parents in direct sales who used the PTA emails to build marketing lists. Use the BCC feature.
• Think about the topic. Email isn’t the best form of communication for all things. It is notorious for not conveying tone well, and it doesn’t always allow for immediate clarification. If you need to have a conversation with a parent about topics like behavior, discipline, failing grades, learning difficulties, or other potentially difficult topics, email is not the way to go. Call or set up an in-person meeting.
• Email is on the record. Don’t email it if you wouldn’t say it in front of your superintendent. Deleted emails can still be found. They’re still there somewhere. Think before you send jokes or vent. Keep it clean, positive, and professional.
• It’s never really private. Email is subject to open records requests. People can print or forward emails. Don’t use email to vent. Don’t say something in an email about someone that you wouldn’t say to them. Emails never really disappear, and they aren’t really private either. Think before you hit send. Also, wait to hit send if you write an email while you’re irritated or angry.

Dealing with parents can be one of the most challenging parts of teaching, but establishing a good rapport with your classroom parents can also be one of the most rewarding parts. The beginning of the year gives you an incredible opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the year. Keeping communication positive, organized, documented, and professional will go a long way in making your year go well.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What tips do you have?