How to Improve Teacher-Parent Communication? Tips from Experts
At CrunchGrade, we believe that when it comes to our children’s education, teachers and parents are a team. We also know that communication is key to any successful partnership. That’s why we’ve compiled some tips from experts on how to improve communication between teachers and parents:
1. Make a Good First Impression
It’s important to remember that first impressions are important, both for parents and teachers. Make sure you introduce yourself in a professional manner and that your body language conveys confidence.
In the first meeting, a teacher may use the following script:
“Hi, I’m Mrs Smith. I’ll be your child’s third-grade teacher this year. It’s nice to meet you.”
If you are an online tutor, you may add:
“I’ll be teaching your child virtually this year, but I’m still looking forward to getting to know them and you.”
You may add some of the services you offer, tell parents about the specific strategies you may use, and how you plan to help their child.
It is also a good idea to make a parent involved in their child’s education from the start. You may ask the parent what they expect from you as a teacher and how they want to be involved in their child’s learning.
If you are a parent, you should clarify the following before you hire a tutor for your child in the first meeting:
- The goals you want to achieve through the online tutoring service
- What methods will be used?
- What is the schedule?
- What times are available for a quick meeting if you want to contact the teacher?
- The price of the online tuition
You may also want to tell the teacher about your child, their strengths, and weaknesses.
2. Communicate Regularly
Regular communication is essential to maintaining a good relationship with parents. Keep them updated on their child’s progress and be sure to respond to any questions or concerns they may have in a timely manner.
At CrunchGrade, we prefer to communicate with parents through weekly progress reports. These reports provide an overview of what was covered in the previous week’s lesson, any assignments that were completed, and any upcoming tests or quizzes. We also include a section for parents to provide feedback.
We also hold regular conference calls or video chats with parents to discuss their child’s progress in more detail and answer any questions they may have – at least once a month.
If you are a parent, be sure to check in with your child’s teacher regularly. Attend scheduled conferences and make time for quick check-ins, either in person or via email or phone. Keep an open mind and be willing to work with your child’s teacher to ensure that your child is receiving the best possible education.
3. Be Respectful
Respect goes both ways – make sure you are respectful of the parents’ time and that you value their input. In turn, they will be more likely to respect your professional opinion and trust your judgment.
Some of the etiquettes our tutors follow in a PTM (Parents-Teachers’ Meeting) are:
- Tutors should be punctual for the online classes as well as for the conference calls with parents.
- If a tutor has to cancel a class, they should inform the parent at least 24 hours in advance.
- Tutors should avoid using slang or text speak when communicating with parents.
- Tutors should always dress and behave professionally.
If you are a parent, be sure to respect the teachers’ time and schedules. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, but try to avoid going into too much detail – remember that the teacher has other students to worry about as well. And, of course, be respectful of their decision-making – they are the experts, after all!
4. Be Open-minded
Parents may have different perspectives from you, but it’s important to be open-minded and consider their point of view. They know their child best, so by working together you can ensure that the child is getting the best possible education.
Digital technology is developing every day. As a result, the methods of teaching and learning are also constantly changing. It is important to be open-minded about these changes and willing to adapt to them.
For example, when we first started, all of our lessons were conducted via Skype. However, we soon realized that not all parents were comfortable with this platform. As a result, we now offer lessons via Zoom, Google Hangouts, and FaceTime, in addition to Skype.
We have also recently introduced a new feature called “Lesson Replays”, which allows students (and parents) to watch a recording of the lesson at their convenience. This has been particularly popular with parents who work full-time or have other commitments during the day but still want to see what the tutors are teaching during study sessions.
If you are a parent, be open-minded about the changes that are happening in education. Technology is constantly evolving, and it’s important to keep up with the latest trends. Keep an open mind about new platforms and methods of teaching – you may be surprised at how well your child responds to them!
It’s also important to have realistic expectations when it comes to your child’s education. Every child learns differently and at their own pace, so what works for one child may not work for another. Be patient and understand that there will be good days and bad days.
5. Seek Feedback
Both teachers and parents need to seek feedback from each other. This will not only help improve communication between them but also showcases that they value each other’s opinion.
Our online tutors make sure that they provide positive and constructive feedback to students after every lesson. Some of the things they cover in their feedback include:
- What the student did well during the lesson?
- What the student can improve on and tips on how this improvement can be managed?
- How the student can apply what they learned in the future?
They also make sure to keep the parents updated on their child’s progress, both in terms of academics and behaviour.
In turn, we ask that students and parents provide feedback about the lessons and tutors so that we can continue to improve our services. We also encourage parents to provide feedback about their child’s progress, lessons and tutors, so that we can address any issues that may arise.
By following these tips, you can improve communication with parents and create a strong partnership that will benefit everyone involved.
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