communicating with parents, colleagues, and students
DESCRIPTION
This is a workshop I presented during the Annual Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children conference held in Grand Rapids, Michigan (March 30, 2012)TRANSCRIPT
COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS, COLLEAGUES, AND STUDENTS
Rhonda Jackson
Kingdom Kids Development Center
COMMUNICATION
The imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or
signs (www.dictionary.com) Ways we communicate: written, verbal and non-
verbal Audiences we communicate with:
Colleagues: fellow educators
Students: main audience
Parents : supporting audience
COMMUNICATING WITH STUDENTS
WHICH ONE ARE YOU?
WHEN SPEAKING WITH STUDENTS… Bend to their level. Look them in the eye. Speak calmly. Make sure they understand what has
happened and the directions.
ALWAYS ASK OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS Open –ended questions allow the student
to think of different ways to solve a problem.
Keep yes/no questions to a minimum. Never ask why.
FAMILY MEETING
Family meeting allows students to have input on ways we can improve our classroom.
Family meeting is also the time we discuss Classroom Rules and events in their lives, if they want to share.
Not for every age group (usually 4 and up).
COMMUNICATING WITH COLLEAGUES
EDUCATOR’S ROUND TABLE
Mutual respect Appreciate diverse
talents Share the knowledge
you obtain with others. Celebrate each other’s
success. Remember, the school
or center is only as strong as its teachers.
COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS
Drop off Pick up Parent Teacher
Conferences Special events
Face to face Phone (text) Email Journals/Daily
reports
ARE YOU LISTENING?
Make sure LISTEN and not just HEAR what a parent is saying: tone, facial expression, and demeanor.
Ask questions to clarify, if you do not understand.
PNP (POSITIVE NEGATIVE POSITIVE) OR THE SANDWICH METHOD
If you must deliver unsavory news, use PNP (Positive Negative Positive).
Always start on a positive note, sandwich the negative in the middle, and end with a positive note.
TECHNOLOGY
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn are all good resources for communicating and marketing.
Be sure you have permission from parents as far as photos.
CELLULAR PHONES
Many teachers use cell phones to send out mass text messages.
Make sure parents knows they are for this use only. Set hours for parents to call.
Please adhere to your center or school’s policies concerning cell phone use.
EMAILS
Make sure grammar and spelling are correct when sending emails.
Use colors for important announcements such as : school closings and field trips.
Make a schedule for emailing. Try to email at least twice a week.
Send pictures. Parents like seeing what is going on during the day.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Make sure of grammar Appealing to the eye Use color paper to catch attention Clipart
BODY LANGUAGE
Try to avoid defensive postures; such as crossing your arms.
Speak with confidence. Inform the parent if you do not have an
answer, you will get one or refer to center director or school principal.
CONCLUSION
Communication is important. As teachers, we must make sure our communications are professional, and accurate.
Remember, teachers are judged on their communication skills.
THANK YOU FOR COMING !