Welcome to #NoVAedChat! As we get started, please introduce yourself and share who's in your #teacher family? Share something you love about them & tag them if you want.
Margaret B, Proud P @HolmesMS_FCPS. My teacher family is big! Not sure how to capture all of those teachers and admin who have influenced me since I started in 2000. #NoVAedchat
My name is Abbey Miller.. I have SO MANY PEOPLE in my teacher family! These people have supported, challenged, & shaped me in to the educator I am today. I wouldn't be studying Educational Leadership w/out them! @FCPSMcNairES@DrLexieFeldman@MrsJYears@christiepday#novaedchat
A1: In the high school classroom, I try to make positive contacts with the parents early on. It makes things much easier if I have to call the parents later on regarding a problem. Partnering with the parents helps the Ss to be successful. #NoVAedChat
Q1 When Ss know their parents support them AND you, everything changes! Families need to know that we are all on the same team... once they do the possibilities are endless #novaedchat
A1 When Ss know their parents support them AND you, everything changes! Families need to know that we are all on the same team... once they do the possibilities are endless #novaedchat
A1: If the teacher has a positive relationship with the parents, it'll show in the classroom. The teacher should make him- or herself available and keep an open line of communication. #NoVAedchat
A1 Building relationships with families brings everyone onto the same team... the student's team. Building the trust, capacity and camaraderie necessary for growth & passion. #NoVAedChat
A1: Relationships with families help us to broaden our relationships with students and have a deeper understanding about what makes them tick. And having the support of families is invaluable! #NoVAedChat
A1: Relationships with parents and families are huge because I always tell parents, "You are the Ss 1st teacher and we need to develop a partnership in order to be successful." #NoVAedchat
I love the concept of being on the same team! I tell them we are all in this together. I like to include the Ss in meetings wh n I meet with their parents at school. #NoVAedchat
A1: it’s so important to recognize our team to success not only includes staff & Ss but the families influencing support & S availability to learning. know your PTA! #NoVAedchat
I’m Eileen and I have built an extended #teacherfamily over the past several years. A lot of them aren’t on Twitter, but several of the ones who are will surely be participating tonight. Right, @MrsMoore_HMS ? 😉#NoVAedChat
One of my favorite analogies is to think about building relationships like investing. You have to put the work in/invest in the relationships so that when things are challenging you have something to draw on #NoVAedchat
A1 I teach students with severe disabilities, almost all of whom are nonverbal and/or lack the ability to communicate details about their day. Relationships with parents are absolutely essential in meeting the needs of my students on a daily basis. #NoVAedChat
A2 Learning is impossible if it is only happening within the walls of the school. Bringing families into the experience through meaningful relationships can reshape the full education of the student. #NoVAedChat
A2: If our goal is for the student to grow and succeed, then it's important to the parents and teachers to be a TEAM. We need to establish the team before the start of the school year. This can be through sending an introduction email, postcard, etc. #NoVAedChat
A2: Our relationships with families influence learning because that child is going to go home and talk to his family. If there is no relationship then it can be detrimental because the parents may not back you up. Though if there is they will have your back. #NoVAedchat
A2: Knowing families gives us insight into our students, which should impact our approach to planning and teaching, which influences student learning! Also, when families understand how they can support student success along with you, it just works! #NoVAedChat
A2 Relationships w/families can greatly influence learning! Parents always want to support what's going on in the classroom, but they might not know where to start. Communicating regularly or sharing flipped videos of your teaching can be a game changer for everyone! #novaedchat
A2: If we allow parents to be a part of the learning experience, they become a part of our team. I want the parents to see that we are all in this together. We all can work together to help their child succeed. #NoVAedChat
A2 Families are with our Ss before during and after our time with them. Families enrich, support, and ensure continuity of the instruction that we provide at school. #NoVAedchat
I think communicating about new methods (specifically blended learning!) is a great way to build family support. Share what we are doing and what the purpose is proactively #novaedchat
Hey everyone! Late start! So many of my #teachertribe are on here! I love that they’re always there to bounce ideas around and challenge my thinking! #NoVAedchat
I try to do this through using Seesaw. Instead of parents asking, "How was school today," they can say, "Tell me about... I saw it on Seesaw." @Seesaw#NoVAedChat
Students can act so differently in different situations! Families give us so much insight as to what students might act like at home. Our days are so long for students - if we're not working together we could miss something important! #novaedchat
A2: families can open or close minds of Ss dependent on how they perceive challenges and successes. Are we ALL prepared to offer positive presupposition? #attitudematters#relationshipsmatter#NoVAedChat
I agree! I always share with the parents about my partnership with the @lyceebazin and how my students will be using technology to collaborate on projects with our partner school. The parents get excited and they want to be involved in the class. #NoVAedchat
Love the team concept. I feel like we have gotten to a place where we all walk into the room with our guards up and on the defense, but we all have to be on Team (Insert Student Name)! #novaedchat
A3: One thing I think sometimes some of us forget is Teaching and learning have changed since most of our Ss parents were in school. We need to help teach them as much as we teach the Ss. This will help them to better understand what you are trying to have the Ss do. #NoVAedchat
A3 We've conduct Family Empowerment days and Parents as Educational Partner nights to bring families in the school and get them on board while hearing their ideas and concerns. This has been a great way to start the relationship journey. #NoVAedchat
We have to have time to get to know each other as humans... not just at work. Be willing to learn about each other! Learn what the others value. Also - food and beverages and laughing never hurts! #novaedchat
YES!! I got really good feedback on the FCPSon info I shared at BTSN! If parents understand how you’re using tools, you get their buy in!!! #novaedchat
A3: I have used @RemindHQ, phone calls, handwritten cards with positive news, and my class website to engage parents. I want to try using @Flipgrid especially the new Family Topic once it is released. #NoVAedChat
A1 After making positive phone calls home to middle school parents, I’ve observed an increase in student vulnerability, self-advocacy, and sense of belonging. One phone call for 1 child (in a population of 1800 students) can open incredible doors. #NoVAedchat
A3a: Another thing is sending home communication in at least Spanish for those families that need it. We send so much home, but if the parents can't read it to understand it then what is the point? #NoVAedchat
Yes, it is fascinating to me how sometimes when I have to describe a Ss behavior to a parent, they are in shock, because that is not at all who they see at home. How can we take that team concept so that Ss can be their authentic selves at home and in school? #novaedchat
A3: I skipped the copies of the syllabus this year and had Ss take Ps through a tour of our google classroom. Helping parents know what resources are there and how their Ss can access supports 24/7 #NoVAedchat
A3: it’s so important to make resources available to support their S so when progress reports are sent or mtgs occur the Parents can do their role w/o having their hands tied w chasing Ts down. Sympathy to all parties. #teamwork#Empowerment#NoVAedchat
A3 I have always found that the best foundation of relationships with parents is to start by sharing their child’s strengths. Talking about the positive seems to open communication and allow for trust building. #NoVAedChat
Your district or PTA might have some resources to help! I’ve recently become the official translator for my son’s PTA. Every chance to connect can help!! #novaedchat
A3: I skipped the copies of the syllabus this year and had Ss take Ps through a tour of our google classroom. Helping parents know what resources are there and how their Ss can access supports 24/7 #NoVAedchat
Thankfully being in a school where the kids speak 17 different languages and come from at least 30 different countries we have 5 ELL T's who help with translating. They are great! #NoVAedChat
A4 Modes of communication. For us, the initial reach is the most challenging. We are constantly striving to adjust and expand how we communicate w/ parents when access isn't always the easiest. #NoVAedChat
A3: This year, we are trying a "layered" approach: our regular big evening events, evening PTAs, morning parent coffees, events with interpreters targeted to families of English learners, events in Spanish. Plus regular weekly communication #NoVAedChat
A4: challenges come from the most unexpected places but knowing the time, resources, intellectual & emotional availability, & knowledge all influence experiences. The more we can share ahead of time- the better. #NoVAedchat
A4: not to Debbie downer this but TIME! Reaching out electronically is easy but it’s not the BEST for real relationships. We get our class time to work on relationships with the kids, not a whole lot of time or opportunity for the padres. #NoVAedchat
#novaedchat YES! And I started coaching a 10u travel Softball team which is consuming my life since my husband is coach 16u and my daughter is playing 18U! #GoStingrays
A4: nearly all challenges can be overcome with TRUST. We need to trust that parents are doing the best they can and want what’s best for their child. Just like we are doing our best and want what’s best. 🤲🏼 #NoVAedChat
A4: In my school, there are some families that are hard to reach because of their work or living situation. Not all families are connected to the internet, some work nights, etc. No matter what the circumstances are, I still try to make every effort to reach them #NoVAedchat
A4: A challenge could be not always putting 100% into the relationship because you get tired throughout the year. Relationships are like plants and need nuturing as time goes by otherwise they die. #NoVAedchat
This is a good point. Using different methods is so important. Also, sometimes it's fun to receive a paper postcard in the mail saying your kids did something great. #NoVAedChat
A4: Language barriers; REBUILDING a relationship with a parent that got "broken" somehow; finding the best way and time to contact; balancing those best times with your own need for personal and family time #NoVAedChat
Our ELL team created a Google form for the T's for making positive phone calls, etc. The T's fill it out and then the ELL T's get with them to make the calls. #NoVAedChat
I think this is so important @margaretfbarnes - one way doesnt work, AND so much work goes into these layers. It's so important to reach out in multiple ways to show how much this matters #NoVAedchat
A3: This year, we are trying a "layered" approach: our regular big evening events, evening PTAs, morning parent coffees, events with interpreters targeted to families of English learners, events in Spanish. Plus regular weekly communication #NoVAedChat
A4 When trust is broken or communication is not continued, many challenges or roadblocks can occur. From either side of the relationship! Presuming positive intentions is so important. We all care about our students and children so passionately! #novaedchat
A4 One challenge is in engaging families who don’t value education for various reasons. Finding ways to make connections with these Ss and their parents can often make a T feel like Sisyphus. #NoVAedChat
A5 ASK not tell. How do they think they could be best involved? In which ways are they available? What might they need support with? What do they need us to do? Families are partners and assets. Not extra workhorses, but equals. #NoVAedChat
A5 Keep up the positive communication!!! We don't want families to cringe when they see the school phone number or our email in their inbox! #novaedchat
A5 It is important to foster and most importantly to maintain a partnership culture between families and schools throughout the year. I just got home from a PTA meeting with 14 staff members in attendance! I’d love to see this momentum maintained throughout the year! #NoVAedChat
A5: A great and easy way to continue to "cultivate" and engage the parents throughout the year is by showing them you care. When you see them being cognizant of them and talking to them about none school items. Going to Ss events outside of school. etc. #NoVAedChat
A5 ASK not tell. How do they think they could be best involved? In which ways are they available? What might they need support with? What do they need us to do? Families are partners and assets. Not extra workhorses, but equals. #NoVAedChat
I check my mail 3+ times a day hoping for mail. Only ever union fliers and random cords (why people?!). I'm just looking for a PONYed twix bar or sticker set people! #NoVAedchat
In reply to
@TechyMargaret, @htrude07, @techinteaching
A5: I am going to offer parents different methods and options to connect with me. I want to make sure I use the method that works best for them and will allow for meaningful positive relationships. I’m also hoping to be better at making more time to make these calls #NoVAedchat
A5: this is the goal right!?! Finding ways to invite parents in and helping our Ts one doors & extend olive branches. Student relationships are key! #NoVAedChat
Agreed! And keep in mind that someone loves each student and even if they're ridiculous in one aspect, there is likely something positive you can say about them. #NoVAedChat
A5 Now is the time to build the foundation. Determine the best ways to reach each family now so communication is effective for the rest of the year. #novaedchat
A5: I tried a parent survey this year to find out about topics parents are interested. Our PTA meetings will focus on each of the topics that parents mentioned, and we'll duplicate those topics at morning coffees and in Spanish. #NoVAedChat
A1 Being an AART, a huge aspect of my role is family communication. I have learned over my experience that it is imperative to communicate with empathy. I constantly put myself in the families’ shoes so I can respond with the utmost respect for their hopes and dreams #NoVAedChat
My favorite thing when I was in the classroom was asking my parents to fill out a survey... .including my fave ? "In a million words or less, tell me what you want me to know about your child" I kept these surveys bound in my plan book #NoVAedchat
Hi #NoVAedChat!! Sorry for my tardiness tonight. My name is Rose proud AP @HolmesMS_FCPS and I’m also packing for a running adventure this weekend with @m4thn3rd who is also in my #teacherfamily.
A1: Relationships with families are high impact in schools. Those relationships really allow schools and families to be partners. I personally relied on relationships with families twice this week to get through some not great situations. #NoVAedChat
A6 As a #fcpsSBTS I plan to engage families in with my school by sending home a school wide backpack letter to discuss our digital ecosystem, share how students to access their accounts, and discuss UN/PW information #novaedchat
Thanks for joining us tonight! Don't forget to follow people from tonight's chat. Next week we have an awesome @vste-focused chat. We can't wait! #NoVAedChat#VSTE#PLN
