Building Relationships with Parents/First Days of School Beginning Teacher Symposium Western Carolina University Myra Watson, MAEd., NBCT Beginning Teacher Symposium Western Carolina University Myra Watson, MAEd., NBCT

Session Plan  Introductions  First Days  Working With Families  Resources  Questions  Introductions  First Days  Working With Families  Resources  Questions

Procedures, Procedures, and MORE Procedures… Let’s Brainstorm some procedures you will need to establish at the beginning of the year!

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Back to School Video Clip

Relationships with Parents Always remember that for a parent, everything you say about their child is a reflection of their parenting. It’s always personal to them. Queenwithclass.blogspot.com

Caring  The first thing families need to know is that you care.  Demonstrate this by making an effort to genuinely welcome each child and family to your classroom.  Find something positive about each child and tell his/her family about it!  Parents need to feel comfortable with you as a caretaker before they feel comfortable with you as an educator.  The first thing families need to know is that you care.  Demonstrate this by making an effort to genuinely welcome each child and family to your classroom.  Find something positive about each child and tell his/her family about it!  Parents need to feel comfortable with you as a caretaker before they feel comfortable with you as an educator.

Communication  Families want to feel “in the know.”  They want to be able to have conversations with their children about school and be involved as best they can.  Remember that the smallest things are important to families.  Offer several methods of communication.  Try to not give “bad” news in written form.  Families want to feel “in the know.”  They want to be able to have conversations with their children about school and be involved as best they can.  Remember that the smallest things are important to families.  Offer several methods of communication.  Try to not give “bad” news in written form.

Competence  Know the standards.  Listen to your mentor, coach and other experienced teachers.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s OK to say, “I’m not sure. Can I check and get back to you?”  Acknowledge the parent as the person who knows the child best.  Work hard.  Overplan.  Love your job and acknowledge its difficulty and importance.  Know the standards.  Listen to your mentor, coach and other experienced teachers.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s OK to say, “I’m not sure. Can I check and get back to you?”  Acknowledge the parent as the person who knows the child best.  Work hard.  Overplan.  Love your job and acknowledge its difficulty and importance.

The Other “C’s” If you are able to achieve the other 3 “C’s,” parents will be able to have:  Comfort and Confidence that their child will have a fantastic year!! If you are able to achieve the other 3 “C’s,” parents will be able to have:  Comfort and Confidence that their child will have a fantastic year!!

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