It's Teacher Tuesday! Please welcome Suzy Brooks, third grade teacher and instructional technology leader, sharing helpful tips for cultivating a powerful Student : Teacher : Family relationship. Thanks Suzy!
A Harmonious Bond
By Suzy Brooks
The end of our school year brought about a wonderful performance in our school cafetorium. Three talented musicians from the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra came to play beautiful music and teach us all a little something in the process. The trio became a harmonious combination as they entertained us with several classical pieces. At one point in the performance, two musicians played alone, without the assistance of the third. The result? The song they tried to play was weak, lacking, incomplete, and no one enjoyed it, especially the musicians!
Why am I sharing this story with you? Like most everything in my life, I was able to draw a parallel from that performance… to my teaching! One thing I have learned, without fail, is this: the stronger the connection between myself, my students, and their families, the further those particular students progress during our school year. If a link is missing in the Student : Teacher : Family relationship, the result can be one that is incomplete, lacking and less-than-enjoyable, much like our music performance!
A Heads-up = A Big Help!
E-mail has allowed parents and teachers to connect in timely, helpful ways. By keeping each other informed of key information, each child’s day can be individualized in ways that are more effective. If your child has lost a tooth, or lost a pet goldfish, dropping a note to the teacher is such a helpful idea. Similarly, teachers who drop parents a line when their child falls on the playground or falls asleep during class, are allowing parents to support their child at home accordingly. When in doubt, send a shout-out!
We’re All on the Same Team!
My most favorite conferences are those held with both students and parents together. Oftentimes, I have the student wait in the hallway for the first half of the conference so the parents and I can talk more candidly. Once the child joins us, we work together to set goals, and share strategies for reaching them. I enjoy viewing the dynamic between the child and his or her parents, and the parents get a feel for how their child and I interact as well. The biggest benefit is how the student clearly sees both parents and the teacher as a supportive team!
Real-Time Updates…
When I meet my families at Open House, I encourage them to interact with me on our classroom blog, as well as via e-mail. The best examples of these interactions involve homework support. In the evenings, when assignments seem long, and patience seems short, parents and children can find navigating the homework realm very tricky. By dropping me an e-mail, to ask for clarification, or to seek deeper understanding, parents are able to smooth over some of the bumps we all experience when doing homework with our child. In the classroom, I’ve often allowed students to send along a quick e-mail home, as well. Whether it is to give a positive update, or to explain something that isn’t going quite right at school, this quick e-note allows my students to move past what is on their mind, and get back to work!
After countless emails, phone calls, notes, blog comments and survey responses, I have come to learn that both parents and teachers truly want what is best for the child. The frequency of communication, and depth of trust developed between all three makes a world of difference as we progress through the school year together. Reach out, and work together to create a harmonious bond this coming school year!
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Suzy’s uniqueness as a 3rd grade teacher lies in that which inspires her: computers, connections and community service. A licensed Instructional Technology Specialist who has been a Girl Scout for 35 years, Suzy strives incessantly to make strong, positive connections with her students, their families and her colleagues. It is through these relationships she has found the encouragement to share her knowledge and enthusiasm for all things technical. In the past few years, Suzy has been invited to present at MASSCUE conferences and symposiums, EdTechTeacher’s summer technology courses at Harvard, Cape Cod’s Cache the Wave Summer programming and over a dozen workshops within her district. Workshop participants leave her sessions with a sharper focus on students and an inspired attitude towards technology. Regionally recognized as a teacher leader, Suzy is a FableVision Ambassador and a Discovery Educator Network STAR Educator. Additionally, she serves on the Massachusetts ASCD Board of Directors. When not teaching, or trying to keep up with the latest in technology, Suzy is an avid photographer, willing volunteer, and creative thinker. She is married with two children and loves living on Cape Cod. Visit her classroom blog at http://blogs.falmouth.k12.ma.us/simplysuzy or follow her on Twitter @simplysuzy.
- Fun Summertime Learning by Amy Mascott
- 10 Great School-Family Events that Boost Parent Engagement by Darlene Mack
- 8 Things Your Child's Teacher Would Love You to Know by Pernille Ripp
Photo thanks to ehrhardt1 of Photobucket.com
