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Teachers Communicating With ParentsAdded: 06/09/2008 - 23:30
Video Length: 1:56
Teachers establishing communication with parents. more...
Overview
Linda discusses the important role of communicating with parents and setting expectations.
Presenter
Linda has a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction. In Linda's 15+ years of elementary classroom experience, consulting with schools regarding special needs, and role as In-Home Trainer for families with special needs, she has "seen it all, but working with children with autism is my passion; it's what makes my heart beat". For the past 6 years she has been a teacher trainer in "Best Practices for Supporting Autism" for the Elgin School District U-46, the second largest district in Illinois, and continues to consult with families and schools.
Comments
To Train??
At first as I was listening to Ms. Smith speaking about communicating with parents and I thought good video...until the part about "you need to train parents just like you train students". I have never heard any educator in over 16 years speak about communications in this way. I found this to be a very poor choice of words especially when speaking about communications between educators and parents. I was completely put off from listening to the rest of the information. As a parent with a child who has autism I have had the fortune to have respectful communications without the need for "any" educators needing to point out publicly that we as "parents need to be trained". I have absolutely no problem with an educator discussing when is the best time to communicate such as during their conference period as an example. As many parents know that have a child with Autism that we "must" sometimes relay important information first thing in the morning when some issue has come up last minute and cannot wait and can mean the difference between a good day and a really bad one. I also have successfully used the student planner/book for day to day communications for notice about tests and projects due dates. When it was mentioned that she "personally" doesn't like to write or use these planners it was clear that this was more about her needs rather what could be in the best interest of all parties involved. Personal feelings must always be put aside and do what is in the best interest of the child Period! I truly believe that she needs to talk to a friend in private and vent to them about what irrates her regarding parent/teacher communications like the lunch comments and keep it professional here when posting any other informational videos etc... I believe in boundaries and it is important in the way that you discuss boundaries if you want to keep mutal respect in the picture. Keep the positive comments in the video and take out all the negative personal comments. I'm all for honesty...but there is no need to offend others to make a point.
Improving teacher-parent communication
Excellent video that articulates ways to make the communication between parents and teachers more effective, from an educator point of view.
I watched the whole video and definitely did not feel that this was about Ms. Smith at all. In fact, she stresses that teachers should strive to build a relationship with parents. I feel that candor on the part of teachers about which medium works should be appreciated. When she talks about email being her preferred medium of communiciation, she immediately follows that with "you need to make sure that is what works for parents".
If "training parents" can improve the communication process, and in turn, lead an educator to serve the needs of a child better, I am all for it. Boundaries are necessary to ensure that communcation is focused and effective; if genuine and honest feedback helps us define these boundaries and enhance the process in a mutually beneficial manner, then I'd not construe "training" as offensive, but as necessary.
good points....
sxvasant, i agree with you in that we need to hear an educator's point of view and respect his/her time, input, and personality. it's all about communication, and keeping those lines open and honest. our teachers are amazing and we need to respect their needs as we expect them to respect our children's needs. let's make it a comfortable process for all parties! i love mrs. smith's directness and appreciate her honesty. we need to take care of our teachers. i know that i've been guilty of bombarding my son's teacher first thing in the morning b/c i'm thinking of "my son" whereas she needs to be thinking of ALL the students. as we go into our new school year, let's remember to treat our teachers with respect and let's all make accomodations so that the relationship is fair and respectful. our teachers teach because they love children, and we don't want us as "parents" to make their job any more stressful than it already is. here is to a great new school year!!! :)