My problem of practice is building rapport and community with students, parents and colleagues as a long-term substitute entering the classroom mid-year. It is unclear if I will return the next school year in the same classroom, so I think it creates a stressful and somewhat unsafe feeling for everyone. Some of the issues involve learning the new computer system and making sure everything runs smoothly. When the system has a glitch or problem, a few students and parents lash out at me.
I am trying to find the best ways to
1) connect with students and create good relationships
2) build trust with parents to lower their anxiety level
I am initially thinking a sort of "hangout" time would work best and help me get to know the students quickly.
I am trying to find the best ways to
1) connect with students and create good relationships
2) build trust with parents to lower their anxiety level
I am initially thinking a sort of "hangout" time would work best and help me get to know the students quickly.
Parents can be a difficult part of teaching. Sometimes I feel like we have to promote ourselves as teachers. I am not sure what tools you have tried so far, but these are a few that have worked for teachers in my building who have had similar problems. As a teacher in my school says, "If you don't tell your story someone else will."
ReplyDeleteSmore- super simple online newsletter creator
https://www.smore.com/app?ref=logo
Social Media (twitter, instagram, facebook) great way to share photos or quick notes about what you are learning - just be careful because it is public. Make sure you have parent permission before posting any pictures of students.
Remind-text messages between parents and teacher. Great for fast reminders, sharing photos, and quick notes about what was learned that day or student successes.
https://www.remind.com/
Seesaw-digital portfolio learning journal allows students to share best work with others. Also has a blog feature to share class progress. Every teacher in my school uses this app. We keep finding new uses with it. There are many ways to customize what is shared with who when using this app. I recommend starting with nothing being shared with parents or students so that you are the only one who can see the posts. Then publish what you want to share to the blog and invite parents to that. Once you are more comfortable with what students are posting, then you can invite parents to see the whole journal if you want.
https://web.seesaw.me
I am asking for permission to use the Remind app and the Seesaw app for the class. I think this will really help and all of the important updates can go straight to the phones. I used Bloomz last year and it was an incredible resource.
DeleteSince we don't have a librarian this year, I have been talking to both parents, district technology, and parents about all of the technology at our school (we went 1:1 this year). What has been a big help is the technology nights that we had where parents are able to come in, learn about all of the educational apps and tools their kids use during school, and are able to ask questions. There are always gonna be difficult parents, but there are going to be like three others that are super supportive.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Darius. I am going to propose this to my admins and see if I can get it approved. I think this plan would alleviate so much stress and anxiety for the parents who are not tech savvy.
ReplyDelete