Ways On How You Stay Connected With Parents During The New Normal Education
Sheryl Ann S. Fulong
Parent-Teacher Conferences (PTCs) are an effective way for teachers to understand more about their students and offer family input on the academic success of their learners. In this time of pandemic, home is the school to all learners, and parents play the role of managers, teachers, facilitators, and teaching and learning coaches.
The PTC management below offers support for deepening parental involvement, using parents as instruments for teaching and learning, and creating a common sense of the actions required for students to make academic progress.
Teachers are in their work-from-home arrangement, and the time traditionally expended on parent involvement, other technical workdays, have been included in the daily workday. Teachers should collaborate with families to arrange conferences at a period that is mutually beneficial for both of them to participate.
In the case that a teacher is unable to arrange a mobile or virtual Parent-Teacher Conference on the afternoon or evening within the week of their regularly planned Parent-Teacher Conference, the teacher can coordinate with the family to schedule the opportunity to call the parent as soon as possible.
Teachers should arrange a time to connect with their parents using an online appointment form, a text message, or an email. Principals should consult with their teaching personnel to determine the most effective way to schedule these meetings.
Parent-teacher conferences can be daunting and can also be challenging to manage. But remember to always be respectful to parents and students, and to keep the discussion grounded in finding a solution.
In an online conference, always share students' progress that indicates success or failure in each of these categories. Sharing clear examples of work will engage parents on the learning side of your classroom, which will improve and enrich the overall discourse. Finally, approach the meeting like every other meeting and stay professional and polite.
The author is Teacher
--oOo-
III at Don Pepe Cojuangco Homes Elementary School, Tarlac City