Communication with parents is the key to an effective relationship. There is various way in order to communicate with parents. Weekly pamphlets or newsletters are a common way of sharing information on what would be happening in the classroom. The information can be done weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. It's totally up to the teacher's preference. Teachers should create the newsletter or pamphlets in the same format. Also, ensure grammar, spell check and proofing the information.
Assignment notebook is a great way to communicate with between parents and teacher. The assignment notebook is to be fill out every day by student and parents are required to sign the assignment notebook every night. When parents sign the notebook they can easily write a note or question. The following day when teacher checks it, they will see the written note. Then, the teacher can respond and parent will see it. The response from the teacher can be a simple reminder of an upcoming event.
Phone calls are another way of communicating with parents. Contact can be made to share both successes of concerns about the child. Positive calls should be made on monthly bases. However, any concern on the student should be done in an appropriate manner. Phone calls also allow parents to get answers from questions or concern they may have.
Conferences between the teacher and parents are another great way to communicate and talk about solutions and concerns. Conferences usually occur during report cards or when there is a major concern on the student. Teacher or parents can request a conference at any time during the school year. Before meeting with parents during any conference, it's a good idea to review the student's file.
Handbooks are passed out at the beginning of the school year and it will consist of the necessary information. The information will consist of classroom schedule, rules and expectations, conferences and a letter on how to get in contact with the teacher or school. Included in the handbook will be a slip for parents to sign acknowledging that they have reviewed the information.
Technology is obviously the easiest source of communication. Parents and teachers can email each other at any time. Emailing a parent with a positive feedback about their child is a great way to have an open communication. Another source of technology is Twitter. Twitter allows parents to follow the teacher on social media. Teachers can post pictures when students are working on a project or simply involved in a class activity. I like to interpret Twitter as a window to the class. Parents can get a sneak peak on what is happening in their child's classroom.
Paraprofessional
Communication with your paraprofessional is the key to a successful well-structured classroom. A great way to connect with your paraprofessional is by sitting down and reviewing plans, schedules, rules, consequences, and paraprofessional's duties. The teacher needs to communicate with a paraprofessional in a clear, receptive and responsive manner so that there is no miscommunication.
- Provide clear daily direction in coordinating plans, schedules, and tasks.
- Inform and update paraprofessional regarding students information.
- Create an atmosphere of trust, cooperation, respect, and loyalty.
- Share common vocabulary and nonverbal cues.
Both the teacher and the paraprofessional must understand their roles. Paraprofessional duties and expectations are:
- · Utilizes multiple styles of communication with students for the purpose of enhancing students’ comprehension.
- Assists students who are struggling through the use of combinations of different strategies and accommodations.
- · Assists students with prompts as required for the purpose of helping their comprehension of a task, maximizing their independence, and adjustment within the school environment.
- · Assists students’ comprehension by routinely checking notebook, homework and their take-home folders.
- · Communicate with the teacher regarding assigned students’ daily progress for the purpose of participating in needs assessments and/or assisting in evaluating progress.
- · Performs a variety of clerical duties. Such as making copies, taking attendance, signing up for lunch, receiving any mail from the teacher’s mailbox and other duties upon request.
- · Assists students for the purpose of providing supervision of students and ensuring their safety.
A paraprofessional responsibility is to work strictly under the direct supervision of the teacher. The paraprofessional is to use the standardized procedures such as: collaborating, utilizing recourses to help students, helping teacher stay organized etc.
Dear Paraprofessional,
Welcome to first grade! I would like to say thank you for being here. I know that we are going to have a great year together. A little about myself, my name is Diana Maldonado and I have 3 wonderful boys. I started as a teacher’s aide and decide to continue my education so that I can receive a teacher’s degree. I learned that in every classroom collaboration is very important. Therefore, I believe having a weekly meeting with you is important so that we can express our ideas to better help educate our students. Your feedback is very important to me and I will definitively listen to your ideas and concerns. I will provide you with a copy of the lesson plans so that you’ll know what to expect daily. I’ll also be giving you a copy of the classroom routine, procedures of disciplinary actions and expectations.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. My number is 708-919-9224 and dmaldonado@trnty.edu. I can’t’ wait to start the school year with you. We are going to have lots of fun and help our students be the best they can be.
Sincerely,
Diana Maldonado
Dear Parents,
Welcome to 1st grade! My name is Ms. Maldonado and I am excited to be your child’s teacher! I will also have an aide in the classroom, Mrs. James. She will be assisting with the students. I hope that all of you had a relaxing summer and are anticipating the new school year! If you ever have any questions or concern, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Please ask your child to show you his/her Assignment Notebook each day. This will contain homework and is a great tool for present/teachers to communicate back and forth. Please be sure to sign their assignment notebook and reading log after completing their homework. On Fridays, students will bring home a Friday Folder. This folder will have graded papers and may have important information for you to look at and or sign.
My classroom will be having lunch first at 11:20 until 11:40, followed by recess from 11:40 until 12:00. If you would like to send a snack with your child, we will be having a snack break at 10:00. This will give the students a 10-minute break between core subjects. Please provide a healthy snack for your child and no candy please! Your child is welcome to save something from their breakfast for a snack if they do not bring one.
I look forward to establishing a positive and productive relationship with both you and your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 708-919-9224,send me an email at dmaldonado@trnity.edu or write a note and send it with your child. Also, follow me on twitter! My username is Lovetoteach. I am VERY excited about the school year starting and am looking forward to working with your son/daughter. I know we will have a great year together!
Sincerely,
Ms. Maldonado
