The first week of school a teacher job includes meeting each student's parents. Ensuring this introduction is positive and upbeat will help the teacher throughout the school year. Positive relationships with parents may help encourage parent volunteers during the school year, chaperones on field trips and help with disciplinary issues.
New Teacher Introduction Letters to Parents
A first year teacher often has to prove herself to the parents of her students because of a lack of a proven track record to fall back on. In this situation, enthusiasm and professionalism will carry a lot of extra weight.
In the introductory letter to parents, a new teacher needs to start with a quick educational background so that parents know that the teacher is qualified to teach their children. This can be as simple as stating where her teaching degree was obtained and listing any additional certifications or educational training pertinent to the current teaching position.
Next, the teacher should spend some time talking about the upcoming school year. This should be filled with excitement and joy at having each individual child in the classroom. Knowing some of the fun things that will happen during the year is helpful as the field trip to the zoo or the introduction of a class pet may help ease the minds of tentative students who may also read the letter.
The letter should not apologize for anything and should not provide any unnecessary details regarding previous teachers, positions or classrooms. This letter needs to be a one way interview between the parents and the teacher, providing professionalism, education and excitement for the job ahead.
Face-to-Face Meetings with Parents
While the introduction letter may be all the contact a teacher has with many parents, some parents may be in the classroom within the first few days to introduce themselves and meet the teacher face-to-face. During this meeting it is important that the teacher remember the child that belongs to the parent and is able to say at least one positive thing about the child.
Additionally the teacher should remain professional and make the parent feel welcome in the classroom. No matter how rushed a teacher may feel at any given time, it is vital that time always be made for parents. In the face of any questions it is also important to remain professional, stick to the point and know the limits of what is allowed to be shared to protect the privacy of the other students in the class.
Meeting parents for the first time, both on paper and in person, is an important chance for new teachers to make a good first impression. Remembering to remain professional, honest and excited about the children and about learning will help these introductions and interactions go smoothly.
Related Information:
Back to School Night - Find out how to prepare for back to school night and what to expect.
Home Communication for Teachers - Encourage continued communication with teachers throughout the school year with these ideas.
Teachers may also be interested in tips on how to handle angry parents in the classroom.
Jennifer Wagaman - Jennifer is a mother of 2 and has both public, private and administrative experience in the education field.
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