Bright Spots: Partnering with families to better understand learners

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BRIGHT SPOTS

Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration

Dear Educator,

I remember being so nervous as a teacher at back-to-school night as I prepared to meet my students’ families. It was a big deal as it was the first impression that I would make on many of the families that I would interact with during the year. Although I felt at ease with the kids, the families somehow put me on edge. I wanted them to feel excited about having their child in my class. I also wanted them to trust me and see that I was a good teacher.

I have had many teachers share these same feelings with me as well. More often than not, they also have shared that they feel the need to give an overview of the year and cover all the things that they assume families want to hear. What this often translates to is sharing supply lists, standards, textbooks, and classroom expectations and it is a missed opportunity to connect, get to know each other, and ignite a yearlong collaboration in service of your child's learning.

My Bright Spot this week is an example of how educators can partner with families to bring out the best in learners.

With Gratitude,
Katie

I'd love to hear from you! Reply to this email to share your Bright Spot this week!

BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK

Partnering with Families to Bring Out the Best in Learners

I saw this picture from Megan Margerum from Northern Cass where she asked families, “What is the best thing about your child?” What a cool and simple idea that makes the adults feel like you care about their students and creates an opportunity to share something special. I would love to have my kids’ teachers ask this!

The more I engage with groups of parents, teachers, students, and administrators I realize how many assumptions we make about what others want or expect from us. When we act on those assumptions without spending the time to find common ground, often we only further our traditional way of doing things rather than coming together to better understand and communicate our collective goals–what we really want our students to know, do, and be–and then figure out how we can all work together to meet those goals.

Interested in discussing how you might engage parents this back-to-school season? Let's connect!

Get in touch

RESOURCE ROUNDUP

Below are some resources to help educators better understand their students at the start of the school year.

1. The Learner-Centered Collaborative Podcast. On this week's episode, I chat with author and author, speaker, and award-winning high school principal Henry Turner to discuss fostering unique experiences, and making students feel seen and valued in the classroom.

2. What parents really want to know. Here are 5 things parents want to know from their child’s teacher at the beginning of the year (and throughout the year too). Read now.

3. Back-to-School Stations. These stations from The Daring English Teacher get your students moving and interacting with each other while helping you get to know them.