Teachers of all grade levels understand just how challenging it can be to reign in an entire classroom. What’s perhaps more challenging than handling these children day in and day out, are the instances where teachers have to communicate with the parents of these children. Even teachers with countless years of experience will still struggle in doing so. Though it may seem ironic, what parents mostly want when discussing their children with a teacher is to be listened to. While it’s true teachers will have plenty of valuable feedback to provide, parents still want to be a part of the conversation. Which is why it’s imperative for teachers to listen. When it does become their time to speak, teachers will find the most success when using clear, jargon-free language and presenting themselves in a professional manner throughout any and all interactions with a parent. When having conversations over text or email, it’s best to respond promptly. Although this can’t always be the case, it helps show parents you are committed to maintaining communication and establishing solid relationships. Teachers should always remember to provide regular updates and to express their appreciation for any level of parental involvement, even when it takes a negative turn. Finding the balance between actively listening and providing feedback to parents can be challenging. To learn more about how to better do both, read on to the resource featured alongside this post.
First-Time Teacher’s Guide For Talking To Parents this infographic was contributed by Silke Lessner, an organization providing classroom management training for teachers
