TL;DR:
- Effective parent-teacher communication can positively impact student success.
- In co-teaching, aligning on communication strategies with parents is key to a strong partnership.
- Four ways to improve communication include consistent updates, using a shared platform, discussing messages beforehand, and sending positive notes.
“Mrs. G, my mom told me what you said in the message.” His face brightened with a huge smile as he looked at me with a sparkle in his eyes. His demeanor was different than before—more confident, and I knew then that he felt seen.
He was one of the more challenging students that school year, and I spent my school days trying to figure out ways to help and connect with him so that he would succeed. The previous years in school had been hard for him, and I hoped that year would be different. Connecting with his parents created a connection with him that became ever-changing that year. From that moment on, our relationship changed.
Parent communication became the key. He and his mother saw that we were all on the same team and his best interest was at hand.
Good parent-teacher communication is essential to the betterment of the students in any classroom. In a co-teaching classroom, it can become the core of the strength of your relationship as co-teachers.
In a co-teaching situation, how you both communicate with parents is critical to maintaining a solid relationship and thriving in your partnership. You are both there working for each child’s success, and not only is your partnership crucial, but so is the partnership you establish with parents and guardians. Building trust with parents is as important as building trust with your students.
Communication between co-teachers is essential for parent communication to be successful. Any parent communication being sent out should be discussed and agreed upon beforehand. Click To Tweet4 Ways to Maintain Good Parent Communication in a Co-Teaching Classroom
#1. Share consistent newsletter/weekly updates.
Discuss beforehand and agree on what you want to share with parents. Make sure this is done consistently.
I suggest taking turns as the author so parents see you both are committed to the partnership. It is important to communicate the happenings and learning that is going on in any classroom, but in a co-teaching classroom, the parents and guardians need to see that you are working together as a team.
#2. Decide what the main platform will be for communicating with parents.
You need to decide on the central platform where the bulk of the communication will take place, whether that be apps such as Class Dojo, Remind, or just plain email.
My co-teacher and I primarily use Class Dojo for communication purposes. However, whether you use an app or email, it should be decided together, and communication should be shared.
If a parent reaches out to one teacher, that teacher must share the communication received. My co-teacher and I usually debrief at the end of the day or before school about any communication we have received. A single platform should be set up for all communication, allowing both teachers to access and exchange information through one shared channel.
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#3. Ensure all communication to parents is discussed in advance.
Whether it is a weekly update, a simple note, a celebration message, or a concern, it should be discussed beforehand. Both teachers must agree on what is being written and how to respond to a message sent, especially if it pertains to an issue or concern by teachers or parents. You may decide that it needs to be further discussed in an in-person setting.
In these situations, decide what you are going to share and be on the same page. Make sure you address the issue as a united front. CC the other person and make sure they are included on the thread.
#4. Send positive messages regularly.
It is important to remember the positive messages and praise the child for the good you see happening during the school day. This will engage the parents and allow them to see that you acknowledge the good occurring in the classroom as co-teachers.
Agree on when and how often to send messages in your partnership. Ensure it’s either a joint message or take turns sending them.
Parent communication is vital to the team in a co-teaching relationship. Communication between co-teachers is essential for parent communication to be successful. Any parent communication being sent out should be discussed and agreed upon beforehand.
About Bridget Gengler
Bridget Gengler is a fourth grade teacher in Long Beach, California. She has taught bilingual education, general education, and GATE for the past 26 years. She’s passionate about building relationships and a strong classroom community that opens up doors of success for her students. She strives to empower all students to share their voices and their stories. Her class motto is “ You matter! You are important! You have a story to tell and we want to hear it!” She brings her love of reading and writing to the classroom in the hopes that it will promote lifelong readers and writers.
Bridget believes that self-care is essential in an educator’s life. She takes time to focus on gratitude, mindfulness and kindness during the day. She contributes this balance to her success in the classroom.
Family is number one for her! Her most precious job is being a mom to four young adults, an energetic lab puppy, and a wife to a wonderful husband. When she is not teaching, writing or reading she is creating memories with them. They love to travel, discover new restaurants, and watch professional baseball.
