Making parents feel comfortable

[toomuchtoask]

Hi there. I am an experienced teacher but I am moving to a new school in September (Y4). It has been a while since I started fresh with parents that I don't know. What kind of things would make you feel comfortable about coming to me with any problems and make you feel like your child is in 'safe hands'. I would like to make a good impression but don't want to go overboard!

To make it difficult - I am terrible at remembering faces so it might take me a week or so to match child to parent!

Smiling at parents.

Maybe a note with a bit of info about your background, with please feel free to catch me after school if there is anything you need to discuss.

I am a very smiley teacher so I can definitely do that TeenAndTween! I like the idea of a note. Thank you.

I think a note is a good idea. Especially if you make it clear that you are happy to speak to parents with queries and make it clear when the best time to approach you was.

I would also include brief details of what the children will be studying that term, eg Tudors, use of commas, long division etc.

First name terms, genuine smile and a non wet lettuce handshake.

If you can achieve all three you are a rare teacher indeed

Oh are you coming to DS's school??

He is going into yr4 and getting a new teacher (to the school).

Tbh as long as DS is happy and doing well then I am happy

Have an open door for comments and concerns.

Let your parents children know when they make an exceptional effort. Then we can carry on the encouragement at home.

Thanks everyone. That's really helpful. Simpson - you never know. I could be! What part of the country are you in?

Ah, I was thinking maybe you are starting at my DD's school as she is also starting y4 with a new teacher.

Maybe TeenAndTween. I'm not sure whereabouts in thecountry you are. My school is in Durham.

Not my DS's school then as I am nowhere near Durham.

Maybe his new teacher is reading this thread though

Certainly a smile and eye contact and appropriate dress goes a long way to reassure me.

But also appropriate hw is one of the main things we know about what goes on in class. If the hw is rubbish (as in too hard or too easy) it's hard to trust that the more important school hours are being done right.

Not my DD's school then, we are down the other end of the country.
Enjoy your new school.

I think you must already be a really good teacher to actually care about the impression you make with parents.

But since you ask:

I would echo what anklebiters mum says, first name terms to me is really important. I had no idea about christian names of certain of previous teachers, despite always using my first name myself. I personally hate being referred to as Mrs X.
A smile, yes. Dressed appropriately definite yes. I loved the fact that DS's last teacher was so well groomed.
Curriculum outline is a must and it was a big plus that we were able to use email to contact DS's last teacher.
Despite a job where I should know peoples names I am hopeless too but the warm and fluffy stuff as soon as possible makes a good impression. Just something that indicates you care about and know the child. 'DS made a really good response to a question today - do not worry about him not speaking out in class.' or ' DS has a lovely group of friends'. DS's last teacher really cared about her class (or at least acted as if she did) and you would often see her laughing, joking and joining in conversations with them.
I also think it creates a good impression when the start of the year is well organised with homework diaries, timetables, reading books etc all coming home on the first day. I also respect a teacher that does the right thing and does not take the line of least resistance. I've been impressed when they have quickly got the measure of 'difficult' children in the class and if necessary have called parents in, showing a 'no nonsense' approach.
It creates a good impression with me that DS's teacher normally has a quick word as she hands DS over, even if it is 'have a good evening' or did you have a good weekend/holiday. It starts to create the relationship and when I did have problems that I needed to discuss I did not hesitate to approach her. Obviously it is difficult with 30 children to hand over and she would only do this if she had time and it did not interfere with her looking after the class. I also need to know that a teacher is discreet, professional and does not discuss DS's abilities with other mothers - yes it has happened and I have never forgotten!

I think a 'Welcome to Y4' newsletter would be good. It could contain any or all of the following:

Reminder of stationary/equipment requirements.
Explanation of weekly homework expectations.
List of topics you're planning to cover.
Advance warning of dates when parents need to do or provide something extra: costumes, cakes etc.
Then end with details of how parents can approach you if they have any queries, e.g. school email address or via note in a home-school communication book.

This is what my children's teachers have done and it works really well.

Hi toomuchtoask

Well I like the note idea but if your school has a VLE (like moodle or WebCT) than my advice is put that kind of information up there and just hand out a brief note on day one.

Brother & S-I-L do a brief biography (I'm married, have two dogs, two cats and two kids. I've been teaching for X years and this is my first year at X school) + 10 things about me page on their webpages (teach in US) - favourite music, food, animal, sport/ team, movie, book, time of year, number, etc....

Brother & S-I-L do a brief monthly update to parents (Class X news - you could do it at start of each half-term here) lets parents know what they've been doing & what they are about to do. They try to include a lot of pictures as well. They use this to give parents advanced warning on anything requiring a bit of planning/ time to arrange like supplies for art projects or dress-up days.

Tick list for a great teacher:

-Don't need to know my name but work out swiftly that I'm associated with my child

-Say hello & occasionally say something positive about DC (X did some great maths today or X made a fantastic catch today, etc...)

-Say if you think DC is under the weather, has been hurt or has had a difficult day

• Be proactive - if there is a problem talk to me/ e-mail me/ ring me

• Be proactive - don't just put out a sign the day before that children should come in with teddy bears (some parents work) - make sure that e-mail alert system is used for class or text alert system as well so working parents can be included in this.

• Try and learn one or two things about each child that establish with parents you 'get' their kids.

• Don't assume (most parents regardless of socio-economic background care about their child getting off to a good start educationally).

• Keep VLE up to date. Don't just work on it in run-up to school year and then leave it be. Keep adding things and ideas. Freshen up links (so they remain active) and if parents suggest good ideas - put those up too.

Keep to a routine - if homework is meant to go out on Fridays or guided reading books are meant to be exchanged on Tuesdays then try your best to ensure that happens. If there is an inset day/ hoilday rather than drop homework for the week, why not just send it home a day early.

Finally - and this does really get my goat - please don't assume that you're the only hard working/ busy person in the universe. Many parents also have full-on jobs and really struggle to make time to attend meetings/ assemblies/ plays. Please remember that parents are busy people too. It helps us if we have plenty of notice, good communication with you & you keep to a predictable routine.

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Pet hates:

avoiding eye contact/ being or having the 'air' of someone unavailable before/ after school

calling someone who is Dr (medical or academic) Mrs or Mr
(real bugabear with parents at our school - including me I fear - in either case it's an academic qualification that teachers - given your sector - should show respect for the academic achievement).

Don't assume that if you tell children to come in next day with X for class that they'll remember to tell their parents - or that a last minute note will make it to Mum or Dad. Try and plan ahead a bit & use several methods of letting parents know milk bottles/ tin cans/ washing up bottles/ etc... are needed for a craft project, etc...

Where students are new or have EAL - really make a point to let their parents know what is going on. I've seen too many new/ EAL students in floods of tears because they didn't understand you were supposed to come in costume or bring in a toy.

assuming a question is a criticism (our school is very guilty of this - and it does lead to long term bad feeling between parents & school).

Finally, please have the professionalism to have some useful suggestions when parents ask for ideas on how to help a child struggling in something - if you can't think of anything right there and then, please don't put them off, but get back to them with some ideas.

I meant 'stationery'. Sorry; very tired.

Thanks for the advice.