Build Strong Teacher Parent Relationships the Easy Way

As a teacher, one of the most important actions you can take is to establish a solid connection with your students’ parents. While this may seem daunting, especially if you are a new teacher with a heap of responsibilities, building strong teacher-parent relationships is an major aspect of creating a thriving and supportive learning environment. Building a strong relationship with parents is also beneficial for student engagement. To achieve this, it is critical that you, as the teacher, take the first step and initiate the process of building this crucial bond.

How to Approach Parent Teacher Communication

If you are a new teacher this year, you might have mixed feelings about initiating contact with parents. It can feel overwhelming, especially when you already have a lot on your plate with lesson planning and classroom management. Additionally, you may have heard flat out scary stories from veteran teachers about challenging interactions with parents, making you apprehensive about the process.

It’s not uncommon for seasoned teachers to share their encounters with parents, and sometimes these stories can be quite intimidating. However, regardless of the stories you’ve heard, establishing effective communication with parents is a crucial aspect of creating a smooth-running and successful classroom throughout the entire school year. It might seem like additional work, but building positive teacher-parent relationships reaps significant benefits in the long run.

The key to approaching parent communication is to view it as an opportunity rather than a burden. Engaging with parents allows you to form a supportive partnership that positively impacts your students’ academic progress and emotional well-being. By keeping parents informed about their child’s progress, sharing classroom activities, and discussing educational goals, you foster a sense of trust and collaboration that strengthens the entire learning community.

Keep an Open Mind

Remember that every teacher’s experience with parents is unique, and while there might be some challenges, there are also countless positive interactions that enrich the teaching experience. Embrace the opportunity to connect with parents and recognize the immense value it brings to your role as an educator. Open lines of communication not only enhance the educational journey of your students but also provide valuable insights that can guide your teaching practices and ensure the best possible outcomes for your class.

As you embark on your first week of the new school year and there after, approach parent communication with an open mind and a real desire to engage. Embrace the invaluable support and cooperation parents can provide, and open up by sharing your passion for teaching and unwavering dedication to your students. Making communication with parents a top priority will set the stage for a successful and fulfilling teaching career. This strong foundation will enable you to enjoy the fruits of collaborative efforts, as together, you build a vibrant learning community and create an enriching educational environment.

Recognizing the Importance of Teacher-Parent Relationships

Understanding the significance of teacher-parent relationships is the first step towards effective communication and collaboration. It’s normal to have some fear when it comes to reaching out. But what I have found in my experience is that most of your interactions with parents will be positive.  When parents and teachers work together, they create a powerful support system for students, nurturing their academic growth and emotional well-being. Parents bring valuable insights. If you want to understand your students, the fastest way to do it is to connect with their parents. You will gain a lot of insight into their life outside of the classroom.

The Impact of Early Communication

It is crucial to take this advice seriously: initiate a connection with parents as early as possible. Waiting until there is a problem to reach out should be avoided. As a personal rule, I strive to establish a connection before the end of the first week of school. While some teachers may suggest waiting until the end of the second week due to potential schedule changes, I recommend reaching out during the first week. 

If a student is moved from your class later on, you can always remove the parents from your communication list. Prioritizing early contact with parents sets the tone for a positive and proactive teacher-parent relationship, ensuring better communication and support throughout the academic year.

Taking the initiative to reach out and establish early contact with parents sends a powerful and unspoken message to both students and parents alike. By proactively engaging with parents, you communicate your expectation of their support and involvement in their child’s education. This becomes particularly significant when working with secondary students, encompassing both middle school and high school levels.

Communication with Parents Improves Student Behavior

When students perceive that their teacher has a direct and open line of communication with their parents, it fosters a sense of accountability and responsibility. They understand that their actions and academic performance are not isolated within the classroom but rather interconnected with the involvement and interest of their parents. This heightened awareness of parental involvement can act as a real changemaker when it comes to addressing discipline issues.

Students are more likely to consider the potential consequences of their actions when they know their parents are kept informed about their progress and behavior at school. They recognize that any disciplinary concerns or academic challenges will not be confined to the school environment alone but will be discussed and addressed with their parents’ support and guidance.

Parents Can Play an Active Role

A strong teacher-parent communication network enables parents to play an active role in reinforcing positive behavior and academic achievements. Teachers can collaborate with parents to set expectations and provide consistent feedback, creating a united front that encourages students to make positive choices and take ownership of their education.

Reaching out and making contact with parents ahead of time lays the foundation for a dynamic teacher-parent relationship. The implicit message of expecting parent support can significantly impact student behavior and discipline. 

It reinforces the interconnectedness of the home and school environments, making students more conscious of their actions and fostering a sense of responsibility. As a result, this proactive approach to teacher-parent communication paves the way for a more positive and cooperative learning experience for students in secondary school settings.

Parents Want to Hear From You

The reality is that as students progress to secondary school, there is often a noticeable disconnection between parents and teacher-parent communication. This disconnect primarily stems from teachers not proactively reaching out to parents as frequently as they did during primary school years. 

It is important to clarify that this observation is not meant to criticize my colleagues; rather, it highlights the challenges of managing the high school level, where it is easier to inadvertently leave parents out of the loop.

Despite this disconnection, it is essential to recognize that parents still hold a strong desire to be involved in their child’s education, even during the secondary school years. From my experience, parents genuinely appreciate being informed about classroom happenings and campus activities. They value staying in the loop, as it empowers them to support their child’s academic journey effectively.

Admittedly, as teachers, we often find ourselves overwhelmed with the myriad of responsibilities that come with the job. However, if we make it a habit to reach out and establish early connections with parents, it can significantly impact the teacher-parent relationship. Initiating communication from the beginning sets a positive tone and fosters a collaborative atmosphere, where parents feel engaged and valued partners in their child’s education.

Students Love to be Recognized

An added benefit of maintaining consistent teacher-parent communication is the positive effect it has on student involvement. When parents are actively involved and aware of their child’s progress and school experiences, students are more likely to take ownership of their education. The knowledge that their parents are in the loop serves as motivation for students to excel academically and actively participate in classroom activities.

I have seen spikes in student morale when I reach out with positive comments to parents. Something as small as texting a parent, “Gabby was a great table leader during lab today” can encourage that student to be her best in the class the whole year! I love to send out these messages at least 7 times a day. Send a short message, to one student from every class everyday. It will really make a difference.

While there may be a tendency for parent-teacher communication to diminish as students enter secondary school, it is crucial for educators to take the initiative and maintain strong connections with parents.

Parents still want to be involved, and their appreciation for staying informed can lead to a more fruitful teacher-parent relationship. By prioritizing early and consistent outreach, teachers can create an environment of collaboration, support, and increased student involvement, ultimately enhancing the overall learning experience in the secondary school setting.

Overcoming Challenges in Secondary School Communication

As a secondary school teacher, you may find yourself managing a substantial number of students, often exceeding 150 if you work in a public school. Handling such a large student roster can make traditional one-on-one conferences with parents impractical and time-consuming, I don’t recommend you even consider that as a possibility.

However, don’t let the size of your roster discourage you from making contact with parents. Instead, consider employing alternative methods that allow you to reach out regularly in more sustainable ways.

Leverage the power of technology and communication platforms to your advantage. Email, online portals, and school management systems offer efficient tools for facilitating communication with parents. Utilize these platforms to share crucial information about classroom activities, upcoming assignments, and assessments.

What to Communicate

You can keep parents informed about the curriculum and learning objectives, you empower them to be actively involved in their child’s education journey. I send out messages about upcoming labs, and some of my parents have shared their gratitude for me sharing this information with them.

Through technology, you can maintain a continuous and open line of communication with parents. Send regular updates and progress reports, ensuring that parents are aware of their child’s academic performance and any specific areas that may require attention.

By embracing technology-driven communication, you bridge the gap between home and school, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for student success.

Additionally, utilize technology to provide parents with resources and support materials that they can use to reinforce learning at home. Share study guides, practice exercises, and online educational resources to support their child’s academic growth beyond the classroom.

I have gone as far as asking my students’ parents to request a summary of a lab from their kids, while I provided the parents with an ideal answer so they could check for understanding.

What is the Easiest Way to Connect with Parents?

The easiest method of communication with parents varies from teacher to teacher based on personal preferences. For me, I have found that utilizing phone apps for direct messages to parents’ cell phones works best.

I have tried and ruled out emails and phone calls in the past. Email communication is not available for all parents, as not everyone has access to emails. And I no longer make phone calls for regular communication as they can be time-consuming.

Instead I prefer to use phone apps that facilitate direct messages to parents’ cell phones, so communication becomes more efficient and accessible. This method allows for quick and direct updates, enabling parents to stay informed about their child’s progress, upcoming assignments, and any other important information related to the classroom.

Another benefit is that using phone apps ensures that parents receive messages instantly, increasing the likelihood of timely responses and engagement.

Teacher Parent Communication App Recommendation

One communication app that has become my personal favorite for connecting with parents is TalkingPoints. The app has proven to be a valuable tool for maintaining open and effective communication with my students’ parents. What sets TalkingPoints apart is its user-friendly interface, which allows me to effortlessly send announcements to all parents via the desktop or mobile app. 

Moreover, the app’s standout feature is the ability to send private messages to individual parents, ensuring personalized communication. And it has a translator! Which is a real game changer if you have parents that speak a foreign language!  Here is a link for you to download it today. It’s super easy to use! https://app.talkingpts.org/register 

In the past, I relied on the Remind app for communication purposes. However, I encountered a significant limitation with Remind—it did not allow me to save parents’ information using my preferred naming conventions. This presented a challenge when trying to reach out quickly, as the app generated names chosen by the parents rather than the ones I had inputted. Memorizing hundreds of parents’ names each year is an unrealistic expectation, making this feature of TalkingPoints invaluable for efficient communication.

The ease of using TalkingPoints to send personalized messages has streamlined my teacher-parent communication process. The ability to address parents by their preferred names helps build rapport and makes parents feel acknowledged and valued in their child’s education journey. This level of personalized communication has positively impacted parent engagement and involvement in their child’s education.

I highly recommend trying out the TalkingPoints app for easy and effective two-way communication with parents. It has significantly enhanced my ability to connect with parents, share important updates, and address individual concerns promptly. If you give it a try, I would love to hear about your experience in the comments section below!

It Is Worth It

Building strong teacher-parent relationships with your high school students’ parents is a transformative step that significantly impacts both the success of the students and your own well-being as an educator. Remember to initiate communication early on. This will set a positive tone and fosters a collaborative atmosphere throughout the academic year. Also remember that there are easy options available, you don’t have to go through the challenges of traditional methods. Consider trying out the TalkingPoints app or exploring other tech options that suit your preferences.

I completely understand the workload that comes with being a teacher, but trust me when I say that maintaining an open line of communication with parents yields positive results in student behavior and engagement. As you nurture these connections, you will witness the remarkable difference it makes in the overall classroom dynamic.

Wishing you the best on your journey to building strong teacher-parent relationships! Feel free to reach out and share your experiences—I’m eager to hear how it goes!

As a teacher, one of the most important actions you can take is to establish a solid connection with your students’ parents. While this may seem daunting, especially if you are a new teacher with a heap of responsibilities, building strong teacher-parent relationships is an major aspect of creating a thriving and supportive learning environment. Building a strong relationship with parents is also beneficial for student engagement. To achieve this, it is critical that you, as the teacher, take the first step and initiate the process of building this crucial bond.

How to Approach Parent Teacher Communication

If you are a new teacher this year, you might have mixed feelings about initiating contact with parents. It can feel overwhelming, especially when you already have a lot on your plate with lesson planning and classroom management. Additionally, you may have heard flat out scary stories from veteran teachers about challenging interactions with parents, making you apprehensive about the process.

It’s not uncommon for seasoned teachers to share their encounters with parents, and sometimes these stories can be quite intimidating. However, regardless of the stories you’ve heard, establishing effective communication with parents is a crucial aspect of creating a smooth-running and successful classroom throughout the entire school year. It might seem like additional work, but building positive teacher-parent relationships reaps significant benefits in the long run.

The key to approaching parent communication is to view it as an opportunity rather than a burden. Engaging with parents allows you to form a supportive partnership that positively impacts your students’ academic progress and emotional well-being. By keeping parents informed about their child’s progress, sharing classroom activities, and discussing educational goals, you foster a sense of trust and collaboration that strengthens the entire learning community.

Keep an Open Mind

Remember that every teacher’s experience with parents is unique, and while there might be some challenges, there are also countless positive interactions that enrich the teaching experience. Embrace the opportunity to connect with parents and recognize the immense value it brings to your role as an educator. Open lines of communication not only enhance the educational journey of your students but also provide valuable insights that can guide your teaching practices and ensure the best possible outcomes for your class.

As you navigate your first week of the new school year and there after, approach parent communication with an open mind and a willingness to engage. Embrace the support and cooperation that parents can offer, and in turn, share your passion for teaching and dedication to your students. By making communications with parents a priority, you lay the foundation for a successful and rewarding teaching career. This foundation will allow you to reap the rewards of the collaborative efforts as you build a strong learning community by working together to create a thriving learning environment.

Recognizing the Importance of Teacher-Parent Relationships

Understanding the significance of teacher-parent relationships is the first step towards effective communication and collaboration. It’s normal to have some fear when it comes to reaching out. But what I have found in my experience is that most of your interactions with parents will be positive.  When parents and teachers work together, they create a powerful support system for students, nurturing their academic growth and emotional well-being. Parents bring valuable insights. If you want to understand your students, the fastest way to do it is to connect with their parents. You will gain a lot of insight into their life outside of the classroom.

The Impact of Early Communication

It is crucial to take this advice seriously: initiate a connection with parents as early as possible. Waiting until there is a problem to reach out should be avoided. As a personal rule, I strive to establish a connection before the end of the first week of school. While some teachers may suggest waiting until the end of the second week due to potential schedule changes, I recommend reaching out during the first week. 

If a student is moved from your class later on, you can always remove the parents from your communication list. Prioritizing early contact with parents sets the tone for a positive and proactive teacher-parent relationship, ensuring better communication and support throughout the academic year.

Taking the initiative to reach out and establish early contact with parents sends a powerful and unspoken message to both students and parents alike. By proactively engaging with parents, you communicate your expectation of their support and involvement in their child’s education. This becomes particularly significant when working with secondary students, encompassing both middle school and high school levels.

Communication with Parents Improves Student Behavior

When students perceive that their teacher has a direct and open line of communication with their parents, it fosters a sense of accountability and responsibility. They understand that their actions and academic performance are not isolated within the classroom but rather interconnected with the involvement and interest of their parents. This heightened awareness of parental involvement can act as a real changemaker when it comes to addressing discipline issues.

Students are more likely to consider the potential consequences of their actions when they know their parents are kept informed about their progress and behavior at school. They recognize that any disciplinary concerns or academic challenges will not be confined to the school environment alone but will be discussed and addressed with their parents’ support and guidance.

Parents Can Play an Active Role

A strong teacher-parent communication network enables parents to play an active role in reinforcing positive behavior and academic achievements. Teachers can collaborate with parents to set expectations and provide consistent feedback, creating a united front that encourages students to make positive choices and take ownership of their education.

Reaching out and making contact with parents ahead of time lays the foundation for a dynamic teacher-parent relationship. The implicit message of expecting parent support can significantly impact student behavior and discipline. 

It reinforces the interconnectedness of the home and school environments, making students more conscious of their actions and fostering a sense of responsibility. As a result, this proactive approach to teacher-parent communication paves the way for a more positive and cooperative learning experience for students in secondary school settings.

Parents Want to Hear From You

The reality is that as students progress to secondary school, there is often a noticeable disconnection between parents and teacher-parent communication. This disconnect primarily stems from teachers not proactively reaching out to parents as frequently as they did during primary school years. 

It is important to clarify that this observation is not meant to criticize my colleagues; rather, it highlights the challenges of managing the high school level, where it is easier to inadvertently leave parents out of the loop.

Despite this disconnection, it is essential to recognize that parents still hold a strong desire to be involved in their child’s education, even during the secondary school years. From my experience, parents genuinely appreciate being informed about classroom happenings and campus activities. They value staying in the loop, as it empowers them to support their child’s academic journey effectively.

Admittedly, as teachers, we often find ourselves overwhelmed with the myriad of responsibilities that come with the job. However, if we make it a habit to reach out and establish early connections with parents, it can significantly impact the teacher-parent relationship. Initiating communication from the beginning sets a positive tone and fosters a collaborative atmosphere, where parents feel engaged and valued partners in their child’s education.

Students Love to be Recognized

An added benefit of maintaining consistent teacher-parent communication is the positive effect it has on student involvement. When parents are actively involved and aware of their child’s progress and school experiences, students are more likely to take ownership of their education. The knowledge that their parents are in the loop serves as motivation for students to excel academically and actively participate in classroom activities.

I have seen spikes in student morale when I reach out with positive comments to parents. Something as small as texting a parent, “Gabby was a great table leader during lab today” can encourage that student to be her best in the class the whole year! I love to send out these messages at least 7 times a day. Send a short message, to one student from every class everyday. It will really make a difference.

While there may be a tendency for parent-teacher communication to diminish as students enter secondary school, it is crucial for educators to take the initiative and maintain strong connections with parents.

Parents still want to be involved, and their appreciation for staying informed can lead to a more fruitful teacher-parent relationship. By prioritizing early and consistent outreach, teachers can create an environment of collaboration, support, and increased student involvement, ultimately enhancing the overall learning experience in the secondary school setting.

Overcoming Challenges in Secondary School Communication

As a secondary school teacher, you may find yourself managing a substantial number of students, often exceeding 150 if you work in a public school. Handling such a large student roster can make traditional one-on-one conferences with parents impractical and time-consuming, I don’t recommend you even consider that as a possibility.

However, don’t let the size of your roster discourage you from making contact with parents. Instead, consider employing alternative methods that allow you to reach out regularly in more sustainable ways.

Leverage the power of technology and communication platforms to your advantage. Email, online portals, and school management systems offer efficient tools for facilitating communication with parents. Utilize these platforms to share crucial information about classroom activities, upcoming assignments, and assessments.

What to Communicate

You can keep parents informed about the curriculum and learning objectives, you empower them to be actively involved in their child’s education journey. I send out messages about upcoming labs, and some of my parents have shared their gratitude for me sharing this information with them.

Through technology, you can maintain a continuous and open line of communication with parents. Send regular updates and progress reports, ensuring that parents are aware of their child’s academic performance and any specific areas that may require attention.

By embracing technology-driven communication, you bridge the gap between home and school, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for student success.

Additionally, utilize technology to provide parents with resources and support materials that they can use to reinforce learning at home. Share study guides, practice exercises, and online educational resources to support their child’s academic growth beyond the classroom.

I have gone as far as asking my students’ parents to request a summary of a lab from their kids, while I provided the parents with an ideal answer so they could check for understanding.

What is the Easiest Way to Connect with Parents?

The easiest method of communication with parents varies from teacher to teacher based on personal preferences. For me, I have found that utilizing phone apps for direct messages to parents’ cell phones works best.

I have tried and ruled out emails and phone calls in the past. Email communication is not available for all parents, as not everyone has access to emails. And I no longer make phone calls for regular communication as they can be time-consuming.

Instead I prefer to use phone apps that facilitate direct messages to parents’ cell phones, so communication becomes more efficient and accessible. This method allows for quick and direct updates, enabling parents to stay informed about their child’s progress, upcoming assignments, and any other important information related to the classroom.

Another benefit is that using phone apps ensures that parents receive messages instantly, increasing the likelihood of timely responses and engagement.

Teacher Parent Communication App Recommendation

One communication app that has become my personal favorite for connecting with parents is TalkingPoints. The app has proven to be a valuable tool for maintaining open and effective communication with my students’ parents. What sets TalkingPoints apart is its user-friendly interface, which allows me to effortlessly send announcements to all parents via the desktop or mobile app. 

Moreover, the app’s standout feature is the ability to send private messages to individual parents, ensuring personalized communication. And it has a translator! Which is a real game changer if you have parents that speak a foreign language!  Here is a link for you to download it today. It’s super easy to use! https://app.talkingpts.org/register 

In the past, I relied on the Remind app for communication purposes. However, I encountered a significant limitation with Remind—it did not allow me to save parents’ information using my preferred naming conventions. This presented a challenge when trying to reach out quickly, as the app generated names chosen by the parents rather than the ones I had inputted. Memorizing hundreds of parents’ names each year is an unrealistic expectation, making this feature of TalkingPoints invaluable for efficient communication.

The ease of using TalkingPoints to send personalized messages has streamlined my teacher-parent communication process. The ability to address parents by their preferred names helps build rapport and makes parents feel acknowledged and valued in their child’s education journey. This level of personalized communication has positively impacted parent engagement and involvement in their child’s education.

I highly recommend trying out the TalkingPoints app for easy and effective two-way communication with parents. It has significantly enhanced my ability to connect with parents, share important updates, and address individual concerns promptly. If you give it a try, I would love to hear about your experience in the comments section below!

It Is Worth It

Building strong teacher-parent relationships with your high school students’ parents is a transformative step that significantly impacts both the success of the students and your own well-being as an educator. Remember to initiate communication early on. This will set a positive tone and fosters a collaborative atmosphere throughout the academic year. Also remember that there are easy options available, you don’t have to go through the challenges of traditional methods. Consider trying out the TalkingPoints app or exploring other tech options that suit your preferences.

I completely understand the workload that comes with being a teacher, but trust me when I say that maintaining an open line of communication with parents yields positive results in student behavior and engagement. As you nurture these connections, you will witness the remarkable difference it makes in the overall classroom dynamic.

Wishing you the best on your journey to building strong teacher-parent relationships! Feel free to reach out and share your experiences—I’m eager to hear how it goes!