Classroom Confidential: The 12 Secrets of Great Teachers

Chapter 11 - Great Teachers Speak in Tongues: Mastering Communication in the Information Age

Not only is communication with students important, but communication with parents adds tremendously to a student's success. The relationship between teacher, student, and parent(s) is crucial. Obviously, the student is the most important member of this group, but when each person participates, the student is then able to excel to the best of his ability.

Schmidt gives us the Ten Essentials of effective communication:

1. Proactive - It is important to get to know your students from day one. If you show an active interest in your students' lives, parents will take note of that and really see you for what you are: a great teacher.
2. Positive - By keeping a positive attitude, even in times of struggle, parents will be more prone to support your actions if you consistently have faith in their child. 
3. Frequent - Keep parents in the loop at all times. Send home assignments, updates, or newsletters regularly. By doing so, parents will be able to rely on you as a strong figure in students' lives. 
4. Clear - When communicating with parents, make sure to be clear in your speech and/or writings. Parents have busy lives, too. Make sure your correspondences with them do not bring about any additional stress or confusion. 
5. Basic - While it's important to keep parents in the loop, it's often impossible to let them know about everything that goes on in the classroom. However, remember the most important things that take place and be sure to keep them informed. 
6. Attention grabbing - Keep things exciting! 
7. Appealing - In addition to keeping things exciting, they must also be appealing. Send home notes, emails, and letters that are fun to look at. 
8. Inclusive - When communicating with parents, try to make your correspondences family friendly. A student is a part of a family, and that family should be brought into the loop about a student also.
9. Timely - Like I said, parents have busy lives. When communicating with them, be sure to be precise and brief. Parents know it's important to make time for their children, but try to inform them in a timely manner.
10. Error-free - As a teacher, you must be correct in your writings.

By reading this chapter, I feel that I am more prepared for parent-teacher conferences this week. I've come across a number of things in this chapter that I've never taken into consideration before. For example, at parent-teacher conferences this week, I'm going to have extra copies of our classroom newspapers available for parents to take home with them. I want them to be able to see how their student contributed to a classroom project.

I really, really enjoy how Schmidt discusses a Parent Preparation Packet. I've never thought of having students and parents filling out a survey about their lives. I feel that this will give the students an extra sense of  importance and belonging to know that we will not only be discussing their grades at the conferences, but also who they are as individuals.