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.
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Welcome to today’s #ldchat! This is Dan with the Understood team. We’re joined today by high school principal and Understood expert Brian Stack, M.Ed., (@bstackbu) to discuss building positive parent-teacher relationships.
RT LIVE NOW
Welcome to today’s #ldchat! This is Dan with the Understood team. We’re joined today by high school principal and Understood expert Brian Stack, M.Ed., (bstackbu) to discuss building positive parent-teacher relationships. https://t.co/bAas7ycmbu via UnderstoodOrg #…
RT RT bstackbu: Hi everyone! I'm a NH HS Principal, husband to a special educator, and father of 5 children ages 3-12. Excited to be joining!
#ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
A1 Sooner the better. I wait until the teacher has interacted with my child for at least a week and then I send an email with an introduction. It usually has links to #dyslexia info. #LDchat
A1: Right away! Start off by meeting the teacher and offer some background on your child and what works for your child. I recommend in-person for lower grades and special services. #ldchat
A1: Ideally, it would be best to start a parent/teacher dialogue before school starts- like in the summer. That way, the teacher can begin proactively adapting lessons, and the parent can offer suggestions and answer questions about their child’s needs. #ldchat
RT RT Dale_Chu: HAPPENING NOW: UnderstoodOrg and bstackbu hosting a discussion on parent-teacher relationships. Follow along at #LDchat! via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT Q1. When is the best time to establish a parent-teacher partnership, and what are some ways to do it? #ldchathttps://t.co/ouYTuY9EVP via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT bstackbu: A1: Start early. Send a welcome email or drop by at an open house. It's better to open up lines of communication on positive note.
#ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT UnderstoodJennO: A1: Right away! Start off by meeting the teacher and offer some background on your child and what works for your child. I recommend in-person for lower grades and special services. #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT Working with your child’s teacher can have a powerful impact on the parents, the teacher and the child. #ldchathttps://t.co/pLjZKS3rmL via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
I want the teacher to get settled into class and for him/her to meet my child/observe get a sense of my child in class. I think they are overwhelmed with so much the first week. Parent psychology I guess. #LDchat
A1: I liked meeting my parents and students before the first day of school. It provided the opportunity to get to know one another and for me to outline my expectations from the get-go. #LDchat
Exactly. Try to limit your interaction to 5-10 minutes by prepping your intro ahead of time. https://t.co/PeKm8mwjLe has great resources on it. #ldchat
For some...only because they can match the face to my student. I've also had teachers that I start day one - and they are still trying to figure out who my son is. I guess that's why I wait, too. #LDchat
We've developed a similar tool and it includes triggers, which are particularly important for children receiving special education services/supports. Teachers need to know... #ldchat
RT Q2. What does effective communication between parents and teachers look like? Is there such a thing as over-communicating? #ldchathttps://t.co/6PSdk6A0re via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
A2: No such thing as over-communicating, but it’s important to watch the ratio of positive-to-negative interactions. The more positive, the better. #LDchat
Yes, for some schools, they can't assign teachers until the beginning of the year. Then you might reach out to the guidance counselor or whoever might be able to point you to a person such as a student support coordinator. #ldchat
A2: Effective communication looks like both sides doing what is in the child’s best interest- not their own best interests. I think the frequency of communication will depend on all parties involved.l. Some Ss may require daily contact btwn Ps & Ts. #ldchat
A1: As a parent, I try to share good news, successes at home and appreciations with teachers so they aren’t just hearing from me when my son is struggling @UnderstoodOrg#LDchat
A2: Over-communication could be an issue. Remember, you have just one child. The teacher may have 100 or more. Weekly check-ins are appropriate, to me.
#ldchat
A2: No such thing as over-communicating, but it’s important to watch the ratio of positive-to-negative interactions. The more positive, the better. #LDchat
A2: It's fact-based, comprehensive, and allows for interaction (e.g. e-mail). Teachers & parents see the child differently and each perspective matters. #ldchat
A2: Respectful, measured, and with a resolution in mind--not a vent session. And YES there is such a thing as too much communication! I've experienced it, and it helps noone. #ldchat
RT An “all about my kid” letter at the beginning of the school year is a great way to introduce a teacher to your child. #ldchathttps://t.co/kduRxCpvUi via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT bstackbu: A2: Over-communication could be an issue. Remember, you have just one child. The teacher may have 100 or more. Weekly check-ins are appropriate, to me.
#ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT bstackbu: UnderstoodOrg Email may sometimes seem impersonal, but it is a quick way to have fast, consistent communication. #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT UnderstoodJennO: A2: Respectful, measured, and with a resolution in mind--not a vent session. And YES there is such a thing as too much communication! I've experienced it, and it helps noone. #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT Use this guide to see what to include in an email to your child’s teacher to help you get the best response. #ldchathttps://t.co/pGMAkofi5o via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
For sure. I recommend a 24 hr cooling off period if you want to shoot an email in anger. Helps collect thoughts and pin down the breakdown/struggle. #LDchat
For Ps- Just remember, the Ts are just as scared of you as you are of them.
For Ts- Just remember, the Ps are just as scared of you as you a re of them.
Acknowledge that you are both experts on the students, but experts in different settings- @ home vs @school#SameTeam#ldchat
I agree. I actually recommend that if you are still emotional, then a more personal interaction such as a phone call or conference is more appropriate. #ldchat
A3. I have always brought work samples. They are marked up with the areas of needs. I always bring art that he's done to show he's not all about that poor work sample. I also express the amount of time he's spending on HW, to express extraneous effort. #LDchat
RT RT bstackbu: A3: Bring questions ahead of time, or a list of what you want to know more about. Have your child help generate the list!
#ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT bstackbu: A3: Don’t go in on the defensive, even if you have concerns. Remember to do as much listening as talking!
#ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT Check out these 14 tips to help both parents and teachers work together toward success for the child. #ldchathttps://t.co/Zlei2pQXmp via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT UnderstoodJennO: A3: Prepare an agenda ahead of time and share it with the teacher. It allows them to prepare and prevents blindsiding. #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT Download this parent-teacher conference worksheet to plan ahead and help you have a confident conversation. #ldchathttps://t.co/kCcuMykw0j via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
A3: Since parent/teacher conferences allow for minimal time & ability to discuss major issues, the teacher should take the lead & parents should have only a few general questions vs. child-specific. #ldchat
A3: I keep all my notes from my son’s conferences and IEP meetings one one notebook and I give a quick review to remind myself of what we previously covered before going into parent teacher conferences #LDchat@UnderstoodOrg
If disagreements affect your rapport with the teacher, the friction may impact the child. Try these 7 tips to improve the relationship with the teacher. #ldchathttps://t.co/wj4vyvm6gj
Would advise against discussing IEP meeting issues at a parent-teacher conference. No procedural safeguards, team members, and time to really delve into the issues. #ldchat
A3. Less discussion of grades and details, more discussion of the child’s whole self. I ask three questions: 1) What should I know about your child? 2) What are they involved in outside of school? 3) What is a topic I can engage them on? #ldchat
A special education professional explains that even when parents and schools have the best interests of a child in mind, they sometimes disagree over IEPs. #ldchathttps://t.co/xO6LI0akwM
A4: Respectfully and with love. No matter how wide the chasm may seem, it’s important to remember that we’re all on the same team and share the same goal: what’s best for the student. #LDchat
A4: Tchr -or- Parent: “It sounds like we are both very passionate about this issue. I’d like to have one of the administrators join us so they can help us find some common ground and work toward a solution. How does next week look for you?” #ldchat
A4: Depends. If IEP/504 issues, in an official meeting. Otherwise, scheduling a meeting with the teacher or whichever staff may be pertinent. Parents should address issues sooner vs. later. #ldchat
I used to accompany my IEP student's parents to the gen ed teachers so that I could help w/ communication, strategies, and keep relationships positive. #ldchat
