How to Effective Communicate with School Personnel

 

Talking to school personnel can be intimidating. However, parent-teacher conferences and other meetings with school officials can actually be beneficial if they are handled in the right way. As a parent, there are some things that you can do to make talking with school official easier and more productive.

Keep the child first

It is important to keep in mind that both you and school officials share a similar goal. You both want to ensure that your child receives a quality education. So, when talking with school personnel remember to set personal feelings aside and focus on what will best benefit your child.

Remember they are only human

Yes, teachers are human. They have feelings too, and they do make mistakes. When there is a problem in the classroom or at the school, allow the school staff a chance to explain what happened. You have heard your child’s side of the story. Now, listen to the teacher’s side.  Although it may be tempting to defend your child and insult the teacher or other school staff members, don’t do it. Remember that teachers and other school officials are there to help your child.

Make a list of the important issues

Make a list of all the issues you wish to discuss with the school personnel before your meeting. This will prevent you from forgetting key topics, and it will save time. Ask the questions that you have prepared. Begin with the most important items first. Remember the teacher is working and does not have an unlimited amount of time. So, arrive on time and be as brief as possible.

Keep copies of work     

Always keep copies of your child’s work. You can keep these in folders or in a portfolio. By keeping copies of your child’s work and any notes or letters that the school has sent home, you are ensuring that you know what is going on with your child. And, this will provide you with documentation of your child’s grades and progress.

Watch your tone and body language

When talking with school personnel, watch your tone and body language. Try not to come across as angry, upset, or hostile. Try to have a positive attitude and calm demeanor even if you are unhappy about the conference or meeting.Try not to be judgmental. Again, the teacher and other members of the school staff are there to help your child. So, try to communicate your willingness to partner with school officials to help your child.

Share valuable information

Share any important information with school officials. Tell your child’s teacher how they learn best. Discuss your child’s interests, strengths, and weaknesses. It is also wise to share things about your family dynamics that can affect your child’s grades and behavior. If your family has recently experienced the death of an immediate family member or a divorce, this information should be shared with your child’s teacher or other school personnel. This can help school personnel better understand your child.

Talking with school personnel can be scary, but it is a necessity. It is important to have a positive attitude, to speak in a pleasant tone, and to be prepared.

5 Things Teachers Wish Parents Knew

 

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a teacher? If you are honest, you will admit that it seems like a pretty easy job. Teachers get their summers off. They get two weeks off for Christmas, a week off for Spring Break, and three or more days off for Thanksgiving. However, there is more to teaching than what meets the eye. The following are five things that teachers wish parents knew.

Your Involvement Is Key

Yes, we want you to be involved in your child’s education. In fact, you play a key role in your child’s education. You can do what we can’t. You know your child intimately. You know what he or she likes and doesn’t like. You are the biggest influence in your child’s life. And, you know what it will take to motivate them. So, yes, we want you to be involved. We love for you to check-up on your child. We look forward to seeing you at Parent-Teacher Conferences and other school events.

Keep Us Informed

Don’t keep important details from us. We need to know what your child is allergic to. We need to know what medicines he or she is on. And, we need to know what your child’s interests are. If there is a death in the family, let us know because this can influence your child’s grades and behavior. Although you may not want to divulge that you and your spouse are going through a divorce, it could help us to better understand why you child is acting out in class.

Be Careful What You Say

Monitor what you say in front of your children. Whether you want them to or not, you children come back to school and repeat the things that you have said. They don’t mind let their teachers know just how you feel about them.

Teachers Have Lives Outside of School

Parents seem to forget that teachers have lives away from school. So often parents call after-hours or on weekends. When this happens, teachers are nice and address your concerns, but they find it frustrating.  A good rule of thumb is to call during the teacher’s planning time. If this is simply not possible, then call before it 7:00 P.M. and avoid calling on the weekends and avoid calling on Friday nights all together.

It Isn’t About the Money

Contrary to what some parents may think, teachers are definitely not in it for the money. In fact, compared to other professions, teaching does not pay well. And, most teachers end up spending what little money they make buying school supplies and other materials for their classroom.