Artifact 5

Educators value the involvement and support of parents, guardians, families and communities in schools. 

B.C. Standard # 4

Educators understand, respect and support the role of parents and the community in the education of students. Educators communicate effectively and in a timely manner with parents and consider their advice on matters pertaining to their children.

I was fortunate to be placed at a school with high levels of parent involvement and support. It was great to see parents so involved in their child's education. I have to admit that when I stepped into the teacher's shoes the idea of communicating with parents was a little bit intimidating. I am responsible for their child's success, so understandably this could seem a little overwhelming. My teacher mentor pointed out how important it is to be in communication with the parents. This way parents feel involved, but it also helps the students learning if both parent and teacher form a partnership to strive for success. 

My mentor encouraged me to be in communication with parents in several different ways. I sent home test notes informing parents of the test date and the content that their child would need to study. I also sent home study guides and answer keys so that parents could understand what and how to help their child study. For several other assignments that required parent involvement I sent home notes about what was happening in the class, and encouraged them to be in contact with me if they needed to. My teacher also suggested that I write notes in students agendas to simply say how much I enjoyed having their child in the class. At first I was hesitant to do this, but as I developed relationships with the parents through email, dropping into the class, and comments in the agendas I became more comfortable with this. I believe that it is very important to develop relationships with the parents of your students. I realize in some situations it isn't possible, but it is worthwhile if you can. Parents want their child to be successful, so encouraging them to be apart of their child's educational journey is a good thing. If the parent and teacher can work together, that student has a greater chance of success. 

Towards the end of my practicum I was able to send home a class news letter. This was a really great experience for me. I wrote about what we were learning in the classroom, and how parents could help their child with this. I wrote a few reminders, and was able to address a date change issue that some parents had been confused about. Finally, I was able to thank the parents for letting me come into their child's classroom and teach them. I realize that for parents it might be nerve wracking having a student teacher in their child's class. I wanted to make sure that they knew how appreciative I was of their support, as well as how much I had enjoyed teaching their kids and witnessing their successes.