Parent-Teacher
Communication
Courtney Stockton
Developed in Conjunction With the Ventura County Special Education Local Plan
Area (SELPA)
Philosophical Points to Consider
 Most parents are on
your side.
 Even difficult parents
only want what’s best
for their student.
 How would you deal
with the situation if it
were your child?
 Communication shows
you care
 What happens if you
don’t communicate
well?
 Does your
department chair or
administration need
to know anything?
Be Proactive
 Get emails and cell phone numbers
 First HW assignment
 Back to School Night
 Communicate as soon as you see an issue
 More communication works in your favor
 Lots of documentation
 Should involve student when appropriate
 Use of Time Tracker/Daily Log
 Weekly Progress Checks
 Home/School Rewards System
General Strategies
 Focus on strengths and successes but discuss problem
areas as well
 Keep records of things that have “potential”
 Don’t use other student’s names
 Pick the best way to communicate for you
 Phone vs. email vs. website vs. ????
 Respond to all communication within 24 hours
Even When They’re Angry
 Stay Professional
 Keep calm
 Speak in a normal
volume
 Avoid profanity
 Borderline words
 Only say things you
can prove via
documentation
 TRY not to allow
feelings into
discussion
 Don’t allow abuse
How to Avoid Abuse
 Ask parent to speak
 Remind them they are
respectfully and
professionally
 Ask them again
 Tell them to set up a
 add “…or I will hang
up.”
still not being
respectful.
meeting with an
administrator.
 Say “I am hanging up
now.”
 Hang Up
Specifically Elementary
 Establish a system
BEFORE the school
year starts
 If it’s not working,
change it!
 Notify parents in
advance
 Tell parents how it
works
 Early on
 Whenever possible
 Use the system
consistently
 Make assignments
clear
 Written directions
 Simple/Rote tasks
 Information in other
languages
Examples of Communication
Systems
 Notes in the backpack
 Communication log
 Weekly newsletters
 Regularly scheduled
phone calls
 Email group
 Use a website or
Edmodo.com
 Send unit plans home
 Remind 101
 Text Blasts
Specifically Secondary
 Have students write HW in
time tracker
 Get teacher initials each
day
 Write none if no HW
 Student must bring to
teacher
 Use Remind101 to send text
blasts
 App available on iPhone, iPad
or Droid like devices
 Use weekly progress checks
 Many students already
do this
 Student must bring to
teacher
 Always give a progress
report grade (even if not
required)
 Use www.Edmodo.com
 Calendar
 Assignments
 Direct communication
References

Bing Images. “Thinking” (Picture Slide 2). Retrieved from
http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4948031006510192&pid=1.7 6/18/2013.

Bing Images. “Proactive” (Picture Slide 3). Retrieved from http://1.bp.blogspot.com/qMeWsakmSfM/T_PKXQCmFhI/AAAAAAAAAl4/uMeNan6uE8/s1600/depositphotos_9057569-Proactive-Person-Wins-Vs-Reactive-Inactivity-PeopleLose.jpg 6/18/2013.

Bing Images. “Communication Crossword” (Picture Slide 3). Retrieved from
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tf4i8LrbkE/UTYTEk80KFI/AAAAAAAAAm8/EQhw0uN0YiM/s1600/depositphotos_4556166Communication-crossword.jpg 6/18/2013.

Bing Images. “Angry 1” (Picture Slide 5). Retrieved from
http://hsc.csu.edu.au/entertain/industry/core/manage/3457/images/Communication.jpg
6/18/2013

Bing Images. “Communicating” (Picture Slide 4). Retrieved from
http://www.glennkruithoff.com/uploads/communicating_20feedback_blue.jpg 6/18/2013

Bing Images. “Teacher Abuse” (Picture Slide 6). Retrieved from
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kr3odvg8Quc/TAVyLUfOFwI/AAAAAAAABEc/azrR96UwL2U/s1600
/Teacher+Abuse.jpg 6/189/2013