4 Practical Tips
For communicating with parents (guardians) and
administrators
1. No Surprises!
• Always communicate with parent/admin what you
are doing in ADVANCE.
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Giving a “D” or “F” for a final grade w/ no warning
Showing a movie that contains inappropriate themes/scenes
Letting students call you by first name
Nontraditional instruction or assessment
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Take students outside to do a lesson
Giving no grades (because you don’t believe in them)
Giving grades largely based on students’ behavior.
2. Don’t Communicate Through the Student!
• Always verify with parent/admin what student
said.
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Provide a place/avenue for parents/admin/students can find
class materials and resources
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Post materials and resources online
Send newsletter home
Students keep HW journal (signatures)
Talk to parent/admin directly
3. Respond to Parents/Admin as Soon as
Possible! Be Professional at all times!
• Always respond in 1-2 days at the most, if possible.
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Do no leave descriptions of a student’s problem on an answering
machine. Speak only about the problem to the legal guardian.
Be prepared to speak about the problem.
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1. Describe student’s behavior or problem matter-of-factly
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Do not get into a debate about what occurred
Do not criticize or complain about the student
2. Describe to the parent a plan of action and discuss plan
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If there is no plan, then parent may feel frustrated and upset.
3. Respond to Parents/Admin as Soon as
Possible! Be Professional at all times!
• Always respond in 1-2 days at the most, if possible.
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Do no leave descriptions of a student’s problem on an answering
machine. Speak only about the problem to the legal guardian.
Be prepared to speak about the problem.
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3. Finish the phone call by…
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Review what was said and your plan of action
Focus on something positive regarding the student
3. Respond to Parents/Admin as Soon as
Possible! Be Professional at all times!
• AVOID…
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Discussions regarding the parent’s personal problems. Bring the
discussion back to the student and the plan of action.
Discussions regarding other students. It is not appropriate to
discuss how other students are doing in the class.
Discussions that attack you personally. Parents have a right to
complain about your teaching methods, but they do not have a
right to attack your personality.
3. Respond to Parents/Admin as Soon as
Possible! Be Professional at all times!
• AVOID…
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Discussions regarding the parent’s personal problems. Bring the
discussion back to the student and the plan of action.
Discussions regarding other students. It is not appropriate to
discuss how other students are doing in the class.
Discussions that attack you personally. Parents have a right to
complain about your teaching methods, but they do not have a
right to attack your personality.
4. Maintain a Paper Trail at all times!
• Always Record or Log - Events or Calls.
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Whenever you have to defend any of your actions the
parent/admin will always ask for your evidence or proof.
Record or Log….
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1. All attempts at communication to parent/admin/student
• Record time, date, and purpose
2. Any incident that occurs in your classroom that might become a pattern
• Usually only involves a few students and it helps to have a record of
that behavior to back up any action plans made for a student.