Each Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. Scott Rocco (@scottrrocco) and Brad Currie (@bcurrie5) host #satchat on Twitter. The conversations focus on leadership issues both as an administrator and a teacher. They are rich and inspiring discussions that help me to reflect on my leadership style and build my capacity to influence change. On this Saturday morning the #satchat focused on creating positive cultures in schools. As it should have, the conversation included incorporating parents into the school community to foster a positive, dynamic cultures. It got me thinking...
As the parent of a pre-school and elementary school parent, I am consistently invited into my children's learning environments. Their teachers ask parents to sign up to read to the class, to chaperone field trips, to help at learning stations, and to run enrichment programs during lunch. I know I am welcome there. Now, I also know I can't pop in anytime I wish. But I am frequently invited. I get to know the students and the teachers. I am a member of the school community.
And yet, I work as a supervisor in a middle and high school where parents are usually only invited into the building if there is a problem or a fund raiser. Thus, a veil of mystique falls over these buildings and all that goes on within them. Parents ask their kids, "So, how was school today?" And with great detail their students offer a curt, "Fine." Often, students only expand when they have an issue or disagree about a grade. This relationship can lead to a tense climate, where parents and teachers viewed one another as adversaries rather than allies. How, then, can we create a truly positive culture in secondary schools if we keep parents at an arm's length?
So what roles can parents play in our middle and high school classrooms? How can we demystify what happens in our classrooms so parents don't feel as though they do not know what does on behind door #2? What other ways can/do you include them in your middle or high schools?
As a high school teacher, I have asked myself this same question. I think that the same 21st century tools which help engage the children can help engage the parents. I have a blog and I encourage all of my students (and parents) to read it. It's History Matters at OHS, which means that I post stuff of interest to historians AND stuff that I think will engage my students. www.historymattersatohs.blogspot.com And, I have a twitter that I share with my students and parents. A lot of parents are afraid of the twitter account, but I'm gaining a bit of ground. We use school reach, the phone message system, on a very regular basis (some of our parents think too much). And, we invite them as often as we can...college nights...financial aid...sporting events. We are a Lasallian school and emphasize the importance of community...that helps. Great post by the way.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas. I'd love to find ways to get them into my classroom every now and again too. Perhaps moderate a forum or participate in book discussion?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment and compliment. I appreciate it.