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9 months ago ::
Sep 03, 2012 - 4:28AM
#1
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I have to admit that I am not a parent, but a teacher looking for some input from parents. I teach kindergarten and in previous years have been the only kindergarten teacher at my school. This year there are 2 other kindergarten teachers working with me. Our principal is really pushing for us to be consistent and present ourselves as a team to parents. While I agree that there are certain things with which we should be consistent, when it comes to communicating with parents I think we each need to find our voice. I think it is so important to establish a relationship with parents and give parents a sense of who we are as teachers. I feel that doing everything as a team (weekly newsletters, Parent's Night, etc.) makes that somewhat difficult, especially since we have 3 very different teaching styles. I feel that if I were a parent, I would want to hear from my child's teacher about what was happening in my child's classroom, not what the whole grade is doing. For our upcoming Parent's Night I would really prefer if we each gave our own presentation in our own classrooms, but I have a feeling the other teachers will want to give a joint presentation.
So my question is...as parents, how do you feel about the communication that you get from teachers? Would you prefer to hear from your child's teacher rather than the team? Or would you like hearing from the whole grade level of teachers?
Thank you in advance for any input!
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9 months ago ::
Sep 04, 2012 - 9:51AM
#2
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As the parent of two, one in 4th grade and one in PreK, I can tell you that I would definitely like to hear from the teacher and not the group as a whole. Telling me what the group as a whole has done that day/week gives me no indication as to how my child is doing at school. I prefer to have that connection with the main teacher of my child.
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9 months ago ::
Sep 04, 2012 - 1:21PM
#3
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Hi Katie, I have to agree with Christine. I have Two children in school. I have a first grader and a third grader. I have learned a lot over the past few years when it comes to dealing with the school system, teachers and communication. I would prefer to hear what goes on in my childs classroom, how my child is doing and build a relationship with my childs teacher. At the risk of sounding rude, I don't want to know what they are doing in the kindergarten class next door. I will also add that a teacher can only do so much. I really feel like it is up to the parent to decide how involved they are going to be and what kind of relationship they are going to have with the teacher. I make a point to drop in once a week and say hello to the teacher. I usually think of an ice breaker like asking if there is anything I can get for the classroom. Or I will just pick up dry erase board markers and personally bring them in. It's just a little something and it opens up the door to a good parent teacher relationship. Thanks for coming on here and asking what parents think. Most of all, thank you for your hard work. Like I told my sons kindergarten teacher, you are so important to these kids that are experiencing school for the first time.
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9 months ago ::
Sep 06, 2012 - 12:27AM
#4
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Christine and Tammy really said it all. I have a 3rd grader and 1st grader and I would much rather hear from their teacher instead of the entire grade. I want to know how my child is doing and what I could be doing to help at home or in the class. What goes on in the other class has nothing to do with my child. Plus not every teacher has the same teaching style so I don't think you can do everything as a group. As for your parents night you could do a grade presentation. What is expected and the things you will be teaching but you should also do your own for your class only. That way patents can get to know you and your way of doing things. Good luck!!
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9 months ago ::
Sep 07, 2012 - 6:00AM
#5
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Thank you so much for all of your feedback! Yesterday I talked with my team was able to confidently say "This is what parents want." They were pretty receptive. So thank you for your help. I really appreciate the support.
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9 months ago ::
Sep 10, 2012 - 12:42PM
#6
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Glad it worked out Katie!
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9 months ago ::
Sep 11, 2012 - 12:30AM
#7
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As parents having a one on one conversation with a teacher is always satsifying. It is necessary to know what your childs progress in particular is. Also I cannot ignore the fact that knowing the whole teams development is also inportant as that reflects on what the school is upto. But yes, personal attention, conversation and analysis of ones child is most important amongst other parents teachers activities.
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9 months ago ::
Sep 11, 2012 - 5:55AM
#8
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I would prefer one on one conversation with the teacher so that I could get more insight of my ward school life. It will also help me to know what are the school problems that my child is suffering and what needs to be improved from my end.
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