The Breakfast Club – #BFC530 – is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri – 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
What opportunities to you have to see parents or guardians face to face? What should you do and NOT do during that time?
@drknicki#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
We have conferences, open house, and showcase days. Connecting with them to discuss their child(ren)’s classroom experience is what I try to do. #bfc530
What opportunities to you have to see parents or guardians face to face? What should you do and NOT do during that time?
@drknicki#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
What opportunities to you have to see parents or guardians face to face? What should you do and NOT do during that time?
@drknicki#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
Yes it would have been except the boy with anaphylaxis forgot his epipen and i had to run from the station back to school, missed the train and arrived after the show had started #bfc530
I don't see parents very often. I made the mistake once of discussing a behavior issue at the kid's football game. Don't do that. When more appropriate, do focus on describing the behavior, not the child. #BFC530
I really do not have an opportunityto see parental units beyond orientation ... and they have to understand that is not the time to talk personal kid business #bfc530
Any time I am with parents, I value the chance to empower them so that they know that they are their child’s first and most important teacher. Their partnership with the school is so important! #bfc530
Anybody live close to the community they teach? It is nice that kids can see you as more than a teacher if they see you in a store, but when I lived farther away, the anonymity was nice too, school was left behind when I was out around town #bfc530
We have conferences and open house. I try not to let them create a picture of their student at open house, as I would like to get to know them myself. #bfc530
TODAY — GET REAL ABOUT YOUR TEACHING 7PM EDT Join @ShiftParadigm and me for the second installment in this don’t miss #whatisschool 3 part series. #bfc530
When I coached I got to see many parents almost everyday. Those relationships develop more into friendships and sometimes even considering yourself family. Nothing wrong with that. #bfc530
We have official back to school, and conference nights, but I have parents in when I think behavior or lack of effort is brewing. I love connecting early with parents and forming a partnership. Supporting each other is key. #bfc530
In addition to events like P-T conferences, Open Houses, Back-to-School nights, attending games and school activities will help connect you in different ways with caregivers.
Students and their families are happy for your support!
#bfc530
We have conferences and often parents can request meetings... the problem is that parents requesting meetings sometimes turns into parents expecting or demanding meetings #bfc530
Good morning #bfc530! Parents come to the school often to see S work (author teas, portfolio reflections), 3 times a year to conference with Ts about prog reports & we also host a monthly Community Coffee where they come in to ask questions, comment, etc
A: building relationships. It’s easier to understand someone’s POV when you have met them opposed to just knowing them from emails or phone calls. First time meetings need to stay positive and and to the point. 1st impressions are important. #bfc530
What opportunities to you have to see parents or guardians face to face? What should you do and NOT do during that time?
@drknicki#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
Yes. I've always taught in my community. See parents in all sorts of activities. i recall once talking to a group of parents and realising the first 3 rows were all friends #bfc530
Anybody live close to the community they teach? It is nice that kids can see you as more than a teacher if they see you in a store, but when I lived farther away, the anonymity was nice too, school was left behind when I was out around town #bfc530
What opportunities to you have to see parents or guardians face to face? What should you do and NOT do during that time?
@drknicki#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
I have a feeling that I will say this a lot this year, but at my new school there is a strong parent presence. And just during book fair I discovered that not only do they support our Ts, but they support the whole school. #bfc530
I get the desire to get parental units involved ... get their support, but I don’t totally buy into that ... have to get kid support and you are having to call the kid’s parent every week are you really getting through to the kid? #bfc530
I have found myself in both situations during my career. I agree, both have advantages and some disadvantages. I actually prefer living in the community though. #bfc530
Any time I am with parents, I value the chance to empower them so that they know that they are their child’s first and most important teacher. Their partnership with the school is so important! #bfc530
We see parents face-to-face at special events/assemblies and P/T Interviews. Some don't attend any of those so if I see them on the yard I make a point to connect w/ them-tell them something positive about how their child is doing-and how much I enjoy having them in class #bfc530
One of those fringe benefits from teaching is when you student is excited to see you & introduce their parent to you when youre about town. Lets you know youre doing something right for that kid and he/she appreciates it #bfc530
Mostly at Parent-Teacher interviews. I encourage parents to bring their teenager with them so that they can be part of our conversation about their progress. #bfc530
What opportunities to you have to see parents or guardians face to face? What should you do and NOT do during that time?
@drknicki#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
Pt2. And not just for school stuff. I had a parent stop by yesterday, who is heading to FL on a trip, who offered to look for something for me while there. Just because I casually mentioned it last week. I am continually blown away! #bfc530
Face-to-face opportunities to meet with parents come as both formal and informal experiences. One key focus for me is to strive for balance...celebrate the positives and address challenges (if they exist)...I always try to remember that parents send us their best! 😊 #bfc530
Because our school started with only 11 students many of our parents joined when it was very small. They helped us create it and we have very close relationships. #bfc530
I don't have that much contact besides email. But when I do meet ftf with parents I always try and find something positive to share about how awesome their kid is:)
#bfc530
Do: Start and end with something positive. See the good. Give feedback that's specific, timely, and actionable. Give multiple modes of communication.
Don't: Camp out on areas for improvement for too long at a time.
#bfc530
What opportunities to you have to see parents or guardians face to face? What should you do and NOT do during that time?
@drknicki#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
As my own children have entered into special education discussions, I found myself translating to my wife all the terms, tests, and acronyms that are typically thrown around during a meeting. Made the truth of that tweet hit home. #bfc530
Since my role has changed, my interactions with parents are limited. I mostly see them at district events or am “pulled in” to be part of a challenging conference to offer support. #bfc530
We have so many parent volunteers at our school on a daily basis. I love it! I always say that they’re the reason our school runs so smoothly ❤️ I always like to acknowledge them and have a short convo to make connections. Some days I have more time for this than others #BFC530
What opportunities to you have to see parents or guardians face to face? What should you do and NOT do during that time?
@drknicki#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
We have BTSN and conferences for a few Ss. This year I used stations for BTSN which gave me a chance to speak briefly with each parent rather than present a slide show. Student coffeehouse is another great chance to meet whole families and celebrate success #bfc530
I see the parents face-to-face when they are picking up especially if it is after normal peak times like right after school. Some parents pick their kids up a little later, so I’ll go down and say hello. I keep the conversation brief and positive. #bfc530
This is a very hard thing in our district. We have an initiative to get parents more involved and we do reach out for Saturday Academies, with Parent Teacher organizations and with wrap around services. The city really attempts to support. Its a struggle, though. #bfc530
What opportunities to you have to see parents or guardians face to face? What should you do and NOT do during that time?
@drknicki#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
There was a boy who was quite unforgivingly rude to me last week.
Then I saw him working in the supermarket where a customer was giving him a hard time.
So I calmed the customer down for him and hopefully won back his respect #bfc530
In reply to
@kathyiwanicki, @carlameyrink, @CoachKCullen
Hello! Joining a bit late. One thing I do is a Room 1113 Open House once a year. S are hosts and they have to lead parents on scavenger hunt than includes Google Classroom assignments for Ps. I mix and mingle. Also planning a reading/writing club for S & P to join #bfc530
Another opportunity to connect with parents is Twitter! Our teachers are often highlighting the amazing things happening in their classrooms and parents can stay up to day with school initiatives/activities #bfc530
Any time I see Ps face-to-face, whether they’re involved in their student’s life or not, I try to focus on solutions over problems.
Sometimes Ps are anxious about talking to teachers, so highlighting positives and providing a roadmap for growth is a good way to go. #BFC530
What opportunities to you have to see parents or guardians face to face? What should you do and NOT do during that time?
@drknicki#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
Parents appreciate it when you can sincerely compliment their child, which shouldn’t be that hard to do. There are a lot of things that I can share about my Ss that make me proud of them. #bfc530
We tried hosting a parent edcamp a few years ago - it was a complete failure. We didn't communicate the idea well and they didn't understand the point. I'd like to try again, with better communication. #bfc530
Parents appreciate it when you can sincerely compliment their child, which shouldn’t be that hard to do. There are a lot of things that I can share about my Ss that make me proud of them. #bfc530
Hello! Joining a bit late. One thing I do is a Room 1113 Open House once a year. S are hosts and they have to lead parents on scavenger hunt than includes Google Classroom assignments for Ps. I mix and mingle. Also planning a reading/writing club for S & P to join #bfc530
My school did an edcamp for teachers pd and the teachers didn't get it....wondering if the point was not communicated well? I though it was great....
#bfc530
We tried hosting a parent edcamp a few years ago - it was a complete failure. We didn't communicate the idea well and they didn't understand the point. I'd like to try again, with better communication. #bfc530
There are some parents that I have never met face-to-face, however, since starting a class FB group- they have reached out and said how grateful they are to have that window into their child's days. I love how now they have an entry point into connecting with the school. #bfc530
There is a lot of jargon in any profession, teaching included. It really is important that we check in our discussions with parents that they understood what was said. We need to break it down so it is understood. #bfc530
People dont like change. We did an outdoor opening day PD experience. People loudly hated it even though many also complained about the sitting down, lecture style PD. Like you, I would have found the ability to choose and learn from colleagues great #bfc530
I saw this on IG this morning and loved it! ❤️ It reminded me of #NoVaEdChat discussion last night on feedback. Every situation has something positive. We have to train our brains to see it. Choose positivity today! Make today great! #BFC530#WillowPride
I prefer to live slightly outside my district. If I live too close I have been known to find something I needed in the middle of the evening, drive to the school and go get it. Then I always had to worry with the alarm. #bfc530
Our f2f time comes at open house, conferences, IEP meetings, and school events. We are having a parent/chlld night at our MS that should give an opportunity for casual conversations. I'd like to see more open houses: tech 101, help with HW, and parent development.
#bfc530
I see parents face to face when they enter or walk through the school building. I should smile & greet them! When I attend IEP meetings, Tier 2/3 meetings, or parent-teacher conferences, I should not monopolize the meeting, but listen to their srory, insight, experience! #bfc530
DOs
*highlight student success (skills and content)
*show student work
*connect your course to college, careers, & citizenship
*engage as thought partner to overcome challenges
DON'Ts
*complain about behavior or habits without sharing a plan and asking for input/help
#bfc530
Because I’ve recently done an emailing activity (like a journal entry), I’m able to share “outside the class” characteristics of the kids. I also like finding goals for each S with P. Every parent is necessary! #bfc530
I great families daily in the hug and go zone. Parents walking their little up to school, some while they are still in the car, siblings who aren't in school yet. Family engagement is important, along with making everyone comfortable being at our school. #bfc530
I see parents face to face when they enter or walk through the school building. I should smile & greet them! When I attend IEP meetings, Tier 2/3 meetings, or parent-teacher conferences, I should not monopolize the meeting, but listen to their story, insight, experience! #bfc530
