Team Teacher Malfunction *Communication Error*Monday, March 7, 201610:15AM-11:15AM

About the PresentersBrandon Wilson

● Western Carolina University● Math & Science Education● 3+ Years of Experience● 7th & 8th grade Science, 8th Grade Math● NSTA, NCSTA Past Board Member, NCCTM● brandon.wilson@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

Lisa Sapir

● East Carolina University● Math Education● 18+ Years of Experience● 7th grade Math● NCCTM● lisa.sapir@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

Objective(s):

1) Provide experienced feedback on ways to effectively engage parents and the community

2) How to navigate difficult students, parents and challenging situations3) Discuss benefits of consistent team expectations that demonstrate positive and

effective classroom management4) Discuss effective methods of addressing student misconduct and curriculum with

administration5) Collaborate and share ideas on classroom and team incentives that build a strong

sense of community

Positive Interaction and Involvement with Parents

What strategies do you use to improve parent involvement and communication?● REMIND text● Monthly Team Emails● In Class Volunteer Opportunities (student presentations, coteaching, awards day)● Out-of-Class Volunteer Opportunities (field trips, clubs, organizations)● Celebration Post Cards for Report Cards● Homework Club● Happy Notes/Emails Home (when grades or behavior improves)● Warning Emails (behavior, grades, etc…)● Parent Conferences● Check-in/Check-out forms

Collaborate and share ideas with the group.

Positive Email to a Parent“Hello Your child…is having an excellent week with his behavior in my class! I cannot speak for the other teachers, but he is completing his work and actually trying hard to think of his answers and responses to questions. I am proud of how he is keeping himself together. I knew he could do it! I have no doubt, he will be able to attend our field trip and other incentives.”

Parent Response “...I absolutely appreciate the good news. I hope this means that he will continue this streak. I know you and I usually only correspond due to issues that occur at school, it is nice to receive this email. Hopefully ... also likes the recognition as well. I have loosened his restrictions at home. I hope this is a trend that will continue throughout the year. Again, thank you for sending this email. It is nice to hear something good.”

We all need a B.Ed in Parent Conferences!● Be prepared● Never meet with a parent alone● Have all documentation ready● Offer suggestions● Never turn down a parent for a conference● Use it as a reflection● Understand and consider the emotions of the

situation (why are you meeting)● Follow up through email or phone● Know the strengths and weakness of the

team teachers● The goal is to make the parent feel more

comfortable about what is happening in the classroom

● You can guarantee that the parents have already told the principals everything

Team Teacher Email ExamplesNotice the difference in language when Teacher A notifies a parent about misbehavior vs. Teacher B

Teacher A-Email to parent of misbehaving child“Good Afternoon. Today ... received his 7th MIR. This resulted in an office referral.... came into the classroom very loudly. There were students from the previous class still taking the exam and I had spoken to all of 5th period about coming in quietly. I asked ... to please sit quietly while I distributed computers to the students. He got up twice in 2 minutes. Then, as I was giving the exam instructions, .... knocked his Chromebook off of his desk and onto the floor. I sent him to the Responsibility Room to take his test. Please address this situation with ... at home.”

Teacher B-Email to parent of misbehaving childHello Your child received a Minor Incident Report:2/18/2016 8:39:05 ……. 2/17/2016 Classroom Silent/Working Lunch (Day) Inappropriate use of a rubber band.

Thanks!

Divorced or Separated

Parents’ Responses to

Teacher EmailsWhat are some tips and

suggestions for sending emails to parents that are not together?

Parent A Response:

“I am so sorry…. I left over the weekend to go back to ohio for a couple weeks and to make arrangements to relocate back to the area. I am not sure if he took his medicine today or not. I have been trying to communicate with his mother but she has not been answering me. I am doing the absolute best I can. I am pulling my hair out. I will talk to him again tonight. Again I am so sorry. I am not sure what is going on here.”

Parent B Response

“Just because your not here doesn't mean that he doesn't have a darn good parent here.

Ms SapirHe was told to finish his project by me. He is responsible for his own choices like I teach him. Please let me know if he doesn't turn it in.”

Parent Responses to

Teacher EmailsNotice how some parents react

differently to different teachers…

Parent response to Teacher A“I will talk to ... about this. He has been working hard to bring up his grades. He does, as you know, get distracted easily. I will make sure he understands that this is not acceptable behavior. I appreciate the email.”

“...Yesterday 2/3/16 ... stepped on the same girls shoe and she made a very big deal out of it. He said you gave him a MIR. I told him he was wrong to do what he did, and I also told him that you too were wrong in what you did. I don't know why .... is treated like this, but there is an obvious distrust or prejudice towards him. I don't know if it's his brothers legacy or if ….is digging his own grave, but it is obvious that not all students have to abide by the same rules. I guess this will just be one of those learning lessons. Life is not fair.”

Parent response to Teacher B

What would you do if you received this email?“Mr. Wilson, please do not notify me anymore when you give ... an MIR for his attitude and tone. Based on every conversation that I have ever had with you regarding ..., it is obvious that you do not like him. I allowed ... to remain in your class based on Dr.Roth asking me to allow her time to help "develop" you into becoming a better teacher. I agreed even after you had threaten my son. Most parents do not take well to that type of treatment. I really not sure what Dr.Roth was thinking, because she can not change who you are. You continue to disrespect him and talk in a derogatory tone/manner to him and he responds back mirroring you and you don't like it. In all of ...'s years of school I have never had any problems with him being disrespectful. You also have been condescending/borderline disrespectful towards me for no reason, therefore I am not going to reprimand ... for these MIRs from you when it concerns his ATTITUDE with you because you have one with him. It's obvious you do not like kids and you are not suited to be a teacher. I recommend you grow up and find another job. I will be contacting Dr.Roth to discuss what needs to happen now, because I am not comfortable with the way things seem to be progressing between you and .....”

Same parent, same day, to a different teacher

“Thank you Mrs. Evans for this information. I have spoken to .... Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day and everyone will do well on the test. I appreciate you keeping me informed. If you feel an in person meeting would be helpful/necessary at this point, you can reach me at…”

Students know when teachers are not on the

same page!You must build consistent team expectations in order to provide

structure for your students.

Team Expectations vs. Your Classroom Management StyleWhat current rules and expectations does your team have that all the team teachers agree with and it does not hinder your classroom management style?

Which of the following can interfere with your personal classroom management?

● Homeroom expectations● Hallway behavior● Lunch/Cafeteria seating and rules● Bathroom & Locker Break policy

Make your style fit your school. You are more successful when your style can adapt to school expectations OR be prepared to be defenseless. Support your other team teachers so that you all can be successful! Support does not mean agreeing.

Miscommunication starts at the top!

Communicating with Administrators

Best Practices

● Use the proper channels to address student or personal concerns● Talk upfront and share your ideas proactively● Document everything (student vs. student, teacher vs. student, admin vs. teacher)● Do not be afraid to say “no.” Not every decision adminstration makes is of the best

interest for your students or your personal agenda● You are here for the students, first. Know your purpose and make sure

adminstration knows your purposes● Do not set yourself up for failure. Always have a responsible witness nearby for all

situations

TEAM AND STUDENT RECOGNITION HELPS TO BUILD COMMUNITY-Parents like this!

Team Incentive Wall

Team Recognitions

Ideas?!Share your team or classroom ideas with people at your table

that help build your team’s community.

Online Resources: Getting along with fellow teachers:http://www.new2teaching.org.uk/tzone/education/workingrelationships/ http://teaching.about.com/od/pd/a/Teacher-To-Teacher-Communication.htm

Effective communication for teachers:http://effectivecommunicationadvice.com/effective-communication-for-teachers http://www.teachhub.com/parent-teacher-communication-tips

What to do if I don't get along with my child’s teacher:http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/getting-along-teachers.html http://www.reachtoteachrecruiting.com/blog/tips-for-getting-along-with-your-co-teacher