The #michED chat is a grassroots effort dedicated to giving teachers, students, and parents across Michigan a bigger voice in the conversation about education in our state. We welcome all voices through a variety of projects, media, and social networking. We’re trying to address educational issues through apolitical conversation, spreading ideas and stories of success from Michigan classrooms across the state, and helping teachers and students regain the courage to connect and demonstrate that schools in Michigan are creating amazing opportunities for learning. We want the face and voice of education in Michigan to be a mural of shared experiences and positive examples of connected learning.
It's time #miched. Please introduce yourself, where you teach/work and one fun thing about yourself. We are talking all things parents tonight! Questions here: https://t.co/5NG8a2Dt8v
Hey #miched. Chris from Allegan HS checking in. Something fun is that I love playing Ultimate. We hopefully are playing one more game this weekend. #cold#worthit
A1: the HS could do a better job in some ways. However, our parents are incredibly supportive of their children in the extras (music, sports, clubs). We ask for help and they deliver. Drive to events. Bring food for the Ss. Great support! #miched
A1: At @Creekside_MS we schedule for P/T conf., have tem sign up for volunteering, some Tchs ask for volunteering, copying, plan our late nighter. #miched
Hello! I’m Kameron Middleditch. I’m studying social studies education at Siena Heights University! Its good to be here, and I’m excited to start chatting! #miched
A1 We get families into our schools during Open House, Family Information Nights, concerts, conferences, theater productions, sporting events, and principal chats. #miched
A2: Flexibility. I prefer e-mail, but some Parents want txts or phone calls. Recently started a paper assignment sheet with a S to keep the S on track with assignments and communication. We do what it takes. #miched
A2: Our principal @craiggreshaw sends a newsletter out every Sunday evening with dates, upcoming events, a student challenge, a parent challenge, info. about DEAL offerings, etc. #miched
AI: My cooperating teacher I am working with right now keeps parents involved by posting to the classroom Facebook page everyday and inviting them in to do read-alouds throughout the month! #miched
A2: Flexibility. I prefer e-mail, but some Parents want txts or phone calls. Recently started a paper assignment sheet with a S to keep the S on track with assignments and communication. We do what it takes. #miched
A2: At @Creekside_MS we have an Instagram account (creeksidedux) that we try and highlight the happenings around school, Facebook & Twitter too. #miched
A1. I remember my high school didn’t really have a lot of inclusion days for parents to get involved. They most they did was volunteer for a couple of my band concerts. #miched
A1: At the elementary school I am observing they use the schools twitter account and their classroom websites to keep parents involved and updated as well as in class materials #miched
A2: For elementary classrooms, I have seen that homework folders are often a great place to communicate with parents/guardians via written notes. Also, utilizing classroom Facebook pages or emailing work as well! #miched
A2. I currently have a little brother who attends the same school I did before I graduated. The principal and my little brother’s teacher frequently contact my parents through email. My college also emails me daily giving me a ‘run down’ of what’s going on around campus.#miched
A3. A couple of teachers I know send emails home to parents to update them. I have seen one teacher call home on a Monday evening, and explain to the parents a rough layout of the week ahead. Nothing too important, but a good change of pace I suppose? #miched
A3: I know the teacher I am currently observing allows students to communicate directly to parents through a website. they can post their work and approved family members that are on that child's "profile" can comment on their posted assignments #miched
A4: I like that we have walk ins, but I don't like that most parents don't walk in. I think that PowerSchool and access to grades whenever are part of Ps not attending at the HS level. Those that do we have great convos about the students. #miched
A4: I love the appointments at the elementary level. We schedule appointments. Meet in the Ts room and get a good report about the whole student (academic, behavior, social). My son's Ts have really known their students. #miched
A4: We started sign-ups this year (10 per 30 min.) to try and spread them out. Parents see who they want. All Tchs alphabetical in cafe., open spaces around @Creekside_MS#miched
A4. My high school was pretty small... right now, there’s roughly 460 students enrolled. They set up the teachers in our auditoria and lunchroom, and it’s like a big community. No teacher is alone in a room with a parent unless the parent requests it #miched
A4 I'm at family conferences tonight. Scheduled some for celebrations as well as goal setting. Others are "arena" style where families stop in and wait for available teachers. #miched
I like the different styles, all at once. Do teachers just walk away from arena style to have a goal setting one? Goal setting ones with all teachers or just one? #miched
A4 I'm at family conferences tonight. Scheduled some for celebrations as well as goal setting. Others are "arena" style where families stop in and wait for available teachers. #miched
A4: This is where I get stuck. I would love more opps from district-not much there. Would love MI to add more roles, haven't seen that yet. Ntl fellowships have pulled back so......I keep networking & advocating for these roles until hopefully something opens up! #FellowsAtED
A4: I don't have much personal experience with conferences, however one of our adjunct professors hosts student led conferences with her 8th graders. I had the opportunity to sit in on a few and it was a really cool experience! #miched
A5: grades are known, I like to talk about effort and conduct in the classroom. Participation is a big one. Plus, the idea that all students have something they can improve on. #miched
I had the same thought. But we are also on trimester schedules so we have 2 nights each tri with only 1 night the third tri. We do the multiple nights to avoid as many conflicts as possible. #miched
A4: As a T of special ed Ss, I have much better attendance when I schedule Ps, but I like that we have gone to scheduling 30 min. time slots - no Ps worried about being late. #miched
A5. I feel like some major things to go over are test scores (if they didn’t do so hot on a test), homework (if the student is doing it or not), and if it’s a problem; attendance or behavior should wrap up the conversation at conferences. #miched
A4: I've always been a fan of having students come to the conferences, too. It allows students to "brag" about themselves and show their parents what they have accomplished at school. I also like the idea of parents writing a positive note to their child at conferences #miched
I personally like Ss at conf. That is why we are here - for them! If there's a topic only for parent ears, can always ask the Ss to step aside. #miched
A5: I think it is essential to talk about the students' strengths first and show things they have done well. Then talk about areas that could be improved and provide ideas on how this can be done, both at school and at home. #miched
I prefer the students to be there too, helps close the parent-teacher-student relationship and amplify understanding. If something personal is being discussed the parent or teacher will excuse the student for a moment. #miched
In reply to
@tmaynard5, @corytimmer, @CoutureTeaching
For me the S doesn't inhibit the convo. I've probably already had the same convo w/the S. As a HS teacher, I do most of my work through the S anyway--ultimately HS students need to learn personal responsibility and I try to empower the Ss to speak for their own needs. #miched
A6: Having my laptop at conf this year has been so helpful! Able to email Ps immediately w/links, info, send emails to colleagues to get ?s answered that I couldn't, etc. #miched
A6: depends on the situation, strong students get a "keep doing great things and we will be in touch" those who are struggling might have a small communication/planner checking plan put into place. #miched
