#LDchat Archive
Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.
Wednesday October 26, 2016
Welcome to today’s LD Chat! This is Dan with the Understood team.
Advisor, coach and advocate Debra Isaacs Schafer () is cohosting today’s chat!
We’ll be chatting about parent and teacher .
Hello all...hope to have a lively discussion today. Thanks for inviting me Dan...
Hanah blasko, kent state university, ohio. special ed major
Hi Hanah! Thanks for joining.
Mason Shuman from Kent State U in Ohio. College Spanish.
Hi, my names Cassie. I'm a secondary education English major. This is my first .
Ashley Nuhfer, Kent State University Graduate Student MLIS/Ed
Peter here. with a PhD! ? That's me! I wrote a book: Screwed up somehow but not stupid: Life with a LD
Nelly Kaakaty, Middle School Learning Specialist from Dallas, TX!
Connor from Albright College
So great to have some new faces today. Welcome, everyone! We'll be kicking off in just a minute...
Hi, Peter! How have you been?
Hey there my name is Ziena I am very much looking forward to this discussion. It is very vital.
Will there be a kickoff return? How does one get a touchdown?
Glad you can join us Connor...
We agree! Thanks for joining, Ziena!
Hello, Debra! Thank you for co-hosting!
(HINT to newcomers, sometimes, I get silly. But mostly not. But people with NLD have no sense of humor. I read it in a book.
to Kent State for representing today! What brings you all to today's chat?
Hi . Here, there and everywhere today! Kerri, ADHD/learning issues, diagnosed as a young adult. Freelance writer, mostly.
Intro to Exceptionalities course
Great that you're here! It's officially a party. :)
First question coming up...
We’ll use a Q1, Q2… format for questions. Please use the A1, A2… format for answers.
Q1. What does effective parent-teacher look like and why is it important?
I have to do this as an assignment, but really I enjoy doing these. did my first one not too long ago and I can't wait for today! :)
I'm here to gain any insight. I have students from time to time with accommodation requirements.
Very cool to see Kent State with us today. Wonderful...
Tina Andrews , mom and advocate joining from a Dr appointment so I'll be in and out
A1. Not a parent, not a teacher, but I coach kids. For me it’s getting information in a timely manner.
A1 It looks like both people are trying to help the important person: The child!
A1: Communication needs to be respectful, reciprocal, and responsive with the last one being essential.
Effective Parent/Teacher communication is both listening & sharing about a child's needs.
A1 Comm should be as student centered as possible. Email is great for records, phone calls are always more personal. Connections!
Yes, listening is essential plus parents have much critical information to share.
A1 And it's important because ..... Well, there's a CHILD! What's more important than children?
A1 Good communication helps parents and teachers work together as a team to improve child's education
A1. Two-way communication that begins early and is maintained throughout the year is important for trust & relationship-building
A1 I always prefer e-mail, though. Not only does it make less imposition on time, but it leaves a record
A1. A child's education and wellbeing should be at the heart of the discussion, it is a partnership.
This is a great lead-in to Q2. Coming up...
looks like someone who is willing to help their child with whatever it takes and important bc it shows determination tht parent has
"Partnership" is the key word there.
Q2. How is changing and reshaping the way parents and teachers interact?
A1 Positive feedback is as important as relating problem issues. Parents need to know that their Ss are doing great things
The vast majority of teachers and parents want to help the child
P/T need to be a team & both truly want successful outcomes for each student within the school setting
A1 the ability to speak freely and honestly in the best interest of the student
Technology provides for various methods of connecting. E-mail = documentation. Skype. Ask the other what works best for them.
A1 Effective com is a 2 way on going conversation focused on needs of the S not P or T egos preferences etc
A2 Email and Remind and other apps make it more immediate and leave record, but it does lack a personal feel
A2 Technology makes communication easier and more convenient
A1. Children and young people should be present too. They are a voice in their education and the support they need
A1: P-T communication requires flexibility on both sides. As teachers, we must be available and accommodating.
A2 E-mail! I wake up EARLY. I send an e-mail at 5AM. Teacher is asleep. She responds while I'm at lunch. No problem!
Also, flexibility is key. What may work for parents at one point may change; same with teachers.
A2, most parents and teachers tend to use technology as a way to hide in my opinion, I believe a face to face approach is better
A2 P&T communication has been THE key to success at school
A2 Also, schools and teachers can send one thing to everyone in class easily
A2. Parents and teachers can communicate faster and address any problems more quickly
This depends upon many factors -- ages, capabilities, what is being discussed, etc.
This can work via email or telephone. It's important that the student sees that both parties are invested. They will imitate that
Great point, ! It's a good idea for parents to ask their child's new teacher each year what method works for them.
I disagree completely. There's no hiding in an e-mail. There's a record!
Hi everyone! Nicole here - joining late.
Agreed, face-to-face is best yet working parents often have limited time & teachers often do as well. Except IEPs.
A2. is improving access to teachers & information by offering several mediums to use for communication
I don't like F2F meetings. They are much harder. Asynchronous communication rocks
Although words via a screen lack intent and you lose context this way. It's one way but not the only.
If only teachers would use tech to communicate!! So many don't.
A2 tech can allow parents & teachers to partner to insure child's needs are being met & assignment/learning happen at home & schl
RT A2 tech can allow parents & teachers to insure child's needs are being met & assignment/learning happen at home & schl
Understood this is the case for some.
A2 Plus, at least with slightly older kids, you can include the kid on e-mails (as appropriate)
Well, I am somewhere in the autism ballpark.
A2: Technology makes all of us more accessible. People can be reached at all times and at all places now.
Definitely tough when not all are on board! It helps to explain its benefits & importance to families who need it
Very child and situation specific. There is not "right way" in terms of communication.
A2. Email is a godsend for busy P and Ts.
A2. Almost everyone has quick access to email which is nice. Also things like PermissionClick = amazing use of tech.
A2. Not everything has to go via the student (ie. on paper) = less communication breakdown.
Suppose a teacher has 30 kids. One day, a class goes wrong. 28 kids are confused. Does teacher want 28 phone calls?
Definitely--there are parents who ask to text and prefer it!
A2 tech can allow teachers to share their instructions so there is less confusion for student by parents interpretation/knowledg
Indeed but the child may need guidance and encouragement as they get older it gets complicated towards their teens.
EVERYTHING gets complicated toward the teens! :-)
Great chat so far! Q3 coming up...
Nor should it. The "behavior" charts, for example, create enormous issues for children via their backpack.
These chats are too SHORT.
Q3. What are some factors that can hinder good between teachers and parents?
A3 An "us vs. them" attitude on either person's part.
Making assumptions. Lack of timely responses. Lack of specifics.
A3: Lack of respect for one another's roles.
A3 Language difficulties - if parents aren't fluent in English
A3: And the "Andy had a good day" type of communication. It's worthless to parents and conveys nothing of value.
A3 Cultural differences between Ts & Ps.
Perhaps even lack of understanding.
A3 Differences of opinions on DX
Language and cultural barriers
maybe not but if they have a central knowledge bank for class students/ parents can look there.
Also may not respond but know need to revisit next day.
- Sometimes that's all parents want to hear. It can be overwhelming when tchrs go into too much detail.
. I can imagine that texting open up the lines of communication. It's instant & constant. (Beats send a letter home)
A3 Focusing on the negative. Easy to do, but important to resist
RT Perhaps even lack of understanding.
A3: One more -- having unreasonable expectations. Know who you're dealing with...
A3. Timing. You don’t want your first communication with parents to be because there is a problem. Establish positive rapport first.
A3 Wouldn't it be nice to tell a teacher "Thanks for helping our child" ???
A3 Ss hiding the bad note sent home. Note sent w/child can be followed with an electronic note to parent. Keeps child responsilbe
Apologies for this I have missed q2
A3: Access! A lot of parents simply can not make it down to school and are not aware how to contact their Ss T after work hours.
There was an ad like that a while back Where parents thanked a teacher for helping their child.
Yet it conveys nothing of value & parents are an integral part of their child's educational path. Data & details.
Good point. I can personally relate to hiding a bad note from my parents. :)
Why should child have to take bad news home? That's gotta hurt the kid!
And avoids the stress and anxiety that comes w/ child needing to be the "message carrier" to home.
A3 school wanting a central communicator other than daily teachers. Esp hard at middle/high school
I wouldn't recommend it on a regular basis, but it certainly has its place.
A3: If we don't mix positive communications in with the feedback, intimidation can also prevent parents from wanting to reach out.
A3. Forgetting that teachers and parents are partners. Like said, it's not "us v them".
It does. Why behavior charts and similar should not find their way into a backpack.
Children should own up to behavior issues to help replace the behavior. I think it helps instead of just being caught
Q4. How can teachers engage hard-to-reach parents and encourage meaningful parent-teacher ?
For sure! Being an or other special kid is hard enough.; Why add stress? Adding stress NEVER helps
A4: Be flexible with times & methods for connecting. Focus on positives as well as needs/issues.
A4 Depends on the REASON the parents are hard ... busyness, language, fear, anger ....
A4: Social media, community events, provide childcare during scheduled meetings.
Q4: Plenty of apps out there like Remind to allow parents to choose how they are contacted.
RT Q4: Plenty of apps out there like Remind to allow parents to choose how they are contacted.
A4: And...ask parents for something to engage them. Tell class about their job. Send pictures of vacations. Bring snacks.
A3: Not establishing that parents can call/email any concerns can hinder communication. If they aren't invited to speak, they won't.
A4 Remaining positive and useing a variety of methods
A4: Give parents options for types of engagement. Make options accessible.
A4. Maybe the best time is parents evening.
A4: It's essential that parents feel "part of" vs. an outsider. Their involvement in something helps.
A4 The single mom who speaks English as a third language and works 2 jobs to support her 3 kids didn't have TIME to meet? Yikes!
A4. Assume positive intent. If parents are hard-to-reach, don't assume they don’t care. Show you're willing to accommodate schedules
Not adding stress, but dealing with stress. The behavior initiated the stress. Teach how to manage it responsibly
This is huge. When work schedules keep parents from making certain meetings, communication can suffer. .
I agree. Flexibility is key! https://t.co/745oCq7aXU
A4: Be flexible with times & methods for connecting. Focus on positives as well as needs/issues.
Making the kid the bearer of bad news serves no purpose that I can see. Just adds stress
A4
Coming up with a system that works both ways, and if appropriate, make sure the student is involved as well
I dispize behavior and sticker charts!!! One sure way to fire up this mom
I completely agree! https://t.co/CkBSG23GtD
A4: Give parents options for types of engagement. Make options accessible.
