Strategies for Working with Parents

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Strategies for Working with Parents

• New Teacher/Mentor Program

• Modified from a presentation by Dr. Douglas J.
  Fiore, South Anna Elementary School, Hanover
  County, Virginia.

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Mindsets for Working with Parents

• Parents trust us with the most precious thing in
  their life their child.
• To educate the whole child we need to work in
  partnership with the parents.
• 100 of parents want the very best for their
  children.
• Research is very clear that the best
• situation for the child is when parents
• and teachers work well together.

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Building Credibility

• Everybody wants to associate with a winner.

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Building Credibility

• Perception can be more powerful than reality
• We care deeply about our students and we value
  the involvement of their parents.
• However, whats important is whether or not we
  make others feel as if we do.

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Focus on the Future

• Oftentimes, parents are concerned about a
  situation that the teacher knows very little
  about.
• In these cases, we must always focus on the
  future and keep the focus on what you know about
  their child.

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Focus on the Future

• Example Mr. Johnson, unfortunately neither one
  of us saw what happened on the bus. Lets work
  together to be sure that a situation like this
  one doesnt happen in the future.

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Communication is the Key

• Regardless of our relationship with the parent,
  we must communicate regularly and purposefully.
• Parents value frequent communication from the
  teacher very, very highly.

• We must always remain pleasant, positive and
  professional.

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An Ear, Not an Answer

• Just Listen!

• Oftentimes parents just need someone to listen
  someone they know cares about their child. A
  caring face and a listening ear can lessen the
  severity of another persons concerns.

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The Telephone is your Best Friend . . . Unless
Its Ringing

• Positive telephone calls build credibility.
• Call the parent at work.
• If both work, call the busiest office.

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What if they tell us not to call them at work?

• With cooperative parents, we should always try to
  comply.
• With some parents, calling them at work may be
  the only way to get their attention but
  acknowledge that you tried other methods first.

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What if they are upset or angry?

• Never tell an angry person what to do.
• Listen for what the underlying problem is. Let
  them talk as long as the conversation is
  productive.

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Dealing with Upset Parents

• Never argue, yell, use sarcasm, or behave
  unprofessionally with parents.
• The key word in that sentence is

NEVER
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Why?

• There needs to be one adult, and the only person
  you can count on is you.
• Difficult people have more practice arguing.
• Core Belief Never argue with an angry parent!
• You get to control how many and which arguments
  you get in.

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What should I say?

• Im so glad you called. Thats the kind of
  feedback I need to hear.
• If a conversation is taking too long its o.k. to
  say, Im happy to talk to you, but this time is
  taking away from my planning for tomorrow.
• If a parent speaks harshly to you its o.k. to
  say, Please dont talk to me like that.
• If your school has a communication plan, refer
  parents to that.

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What should I say?

• Say, Im sorry that happened.
• Youre admitting no guilt.
• Youre not suggesting any change in plan.
• How can we work together to make sure this
  doesnt happen again?

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The Best Way to Get in the Last Word

• The best way to get in the last word is to
  APOLOGIZE.

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Dealing with two parents.

• If you call a parent and the next day the
  other parent calls to argue.
• Call that parent FIRST next time.
• Its better to deal with an upset parent on your
  own initiative.

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Teachers and Parents in Partnership
MakeSuccessful Students!