Volume 5 Issue 5
May 2002
In This Issue
 
SBTA News and Views
Editorial Board
Editor
Karen Kessinger
Assistant Editor
Mark Lehman
Copy Editor
Sherrie Juras
Technology Editor
Michael Nicholson

Advertising within News and Views is screened, but the publishing of any advertisment does not imply SBTA endorsement of the product or views expressed
News and Views
Parents: A Love-Hate Relationship
By Kim Isley

You have probably heard from both your school administration and from your credentialing classes that parent contact can work miracles when it comes to a student's problem behavior in your class. You have probably also heard many a parent horror story from other teachers, which makes you want to avoid parents like the plague. What is a new teacher to do?
It has been my experience that the hassle and the risks are well worth it when it comes to contacting parents or guardians. There have been many times that I called home because a student was disruptive or not prepared and it worked like a charm. Maybe being grounded without Play station has something to do with it. Still, there have been a few times when the call wasn't helpful because I said something stupid or because the parents were more difficult to deal with than the student (unfortunately, the apple usually doesn't fall far from the tree).

Here are a few ideas to help make your contact with home more productive:

1. Start with something good.

Despite the temptation to launch into a huge lecture about how to parent a child at the start of the conversation, don't do it. It will immediately put the person off or make them defensive. Start by identifying yourself and saying something nice about the student. Yes, you will have to get creative sometimes. Even if you have to comment on how the student brought their pencil one day, starting with something good always makes the person more receptive.

2. Make good calls, too.

I know, I know, who has the time? Just think of what your life would be like if all your students needed a problem call. Trust me on this one, taking the time to tell a parent that their student is doing well and is delightful to have in class will not only brighten their day, but chances are that Carlos or Carol will be even more delightful for the rest of the year. The next time you have a bad day and feel like you need to be thanked for all your hard work, call the home of a good student- you will probably be pleased to hear what the parent has to say to you.
3. Don't forget the students.

Don't forget to communicate with the students first. Discuss problems with difficult students before you call home. Also, let your good students know that they make your job easier and more fun. Since we expect students to be responsible for their own behavior, we should send the message that students themselves will be held accountable for their behavior, good or bad. Last year I wrote "good notes" to students, and they really seemed to appreciate it. Once a week I would write 5 or 10 notes to students who did something great, were consistently cooperative, or to a difficult student that had shaped up.

Yes, calling and writing notes takes a lot of time. Yes, you will talk to people that convince you that some people just shouldn't be allowed to have kids. Most parents, though, do care about their kids and how they are doing in school. In most cases, making a call will make a difference in how a difficult student behaves in class. In all cases a good call will be appreciated. Either way, making just a few calls a day is time well spent, and you will see the results right away.