Parents as Partners

   As this photo shows, parent-teacher conferences can provide good opportunities for parents and educators to work together for the benefit of students. Photo from IXL blog (2019). 

            Parents have a great influence on their children. Consequently, they play an important role in their child's education. It follows that teachers should partner with parents to improve education. There are different ways of accomplishing this goal.

One of the ways teachers can work with parents is by participating in Back to School Night. Back to School Night allows for parents to not only meet the teacher, but also obtain important information -- about field trips and scheduling, for instance (Deshais, 2015). This special night also helps parents feel welcome in the classroom and tells them that their child is in good hands. With technology, it will become possible to enhance the Back to School Night experience (Deshais, 2015). For example the conference can be recorded on Zoom for parents who cannot attend. Also, technology can allow teachers to present the class to the parents (Deshais, 2015).

Another way teachers can work with parents is by holding family conferences. Family conferences are when the teacher meets students' families, shares classroom expectations, and asks parents how to best partner for student success (Merlin, 2015). Some ways the teacher can ensure a productive conference include making the purpose of the conference clear, scheduling efficiently, having student materials on hand, and putting themselves in the parents’ shoes (Merlin, 2015). 

Additionally, teachers can try to be transparent when dealing with parents. In this era of global classrooms, connected education, and home-to-school connections, educators and parents need clear lines of communication now more than ever (Stephens, 2015). Technology is changing teaching and parent-teacher relations. However, it can be used to inform parents about what is going on in the classroom (Stephens, 2015). Teachers can be transparent by communicating with common language rather than technical words, explaining their thinking when talking to parents, and using apps to inform parents about relevant information (Stephens, 2015).

There are schools that are implementing a program to get parents involved in the classroom (lsnachicago, 2012). Many schools in Chicago are training parents to help teachers in classrooms. The Chicago school system even gives degrees to parents for completing the program. This program allows for parents to work with students in the classroom, even if they are not teachers (lsnachicago, 2012).

At the Board of Education meeting I attended, school officials talked about improving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) classes in the school system. They discussed many different programs and strategies to accomplish this goal. The main focus of the discussion was to make the STEM classes more interesting for students so that more students will sign up for these classes. In addition, the school officials could improve the STEM classes by partnering with parents in the ways previously described.

It is extremely important that teachers form partnerships with parents to create the highest quality education. There are different ways of going about this. Many involve technology, but all of them emphasize that educators work as a team with parents. 

References

 

Deshais. A, (2015) back-to-school night 2.0 with innovation and technology vital to our profession, let's use both of those elements to engage and connect with our students' families this year edutopia.org retrieved from Back-to-School Night 2.0 | Edutopia 

lsnachicago, (2012) nbc today show: education nation - putting parents to work in the classroom lsnachicago retrieved from NBC Today Show: Education Nation - Putting Parents to Work in the Classroom - YouTube 

Merlin. M, (2015) 9 tips for organizing family conferences steps to make family conferences welcoming and efficient include smart scheduling, sending questions in advance, keeping student materials on hand, and thinking like a parents edutopia.org retrieved from Family Engagement: Resource Roundup | Edutopia 

Stephens. D, (2015) back-to-school night: the ultimate conversation starter for a successful school year when establishing that first contact with parents on back-to-school night, start the year right by being transparent, direct, and consistent. edutopia.org retrieved from Back-to-School Night: The Ultimate Conversation Starter for a Successful School Year | Edutopia