Building Relationships with Parents/First Days of School

Beginning Teacher Symposium

Western Carolina University

Myra Watson, MAEd., NBCT

Session Plan

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!

Created by Mandy Gregory ~http://mandys-tips-4-teachers.blogspot.com/

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.

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.

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.

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!!

A Look at Our Dropbox Folder:I Need Your Email Address!!