Teachers, Make the Call - Why Your Voice Counts
“Oh, you lost your cell phone on vibrate? If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it. ”
Make Your School Awesome Staff
March 22,2022
The pandemic disrupted the way in which we have operated and communicated within the traditional classroom setting. Students and adults alike have become more accustomed to digital communication, email, zoom video conferencing, and instruction utilizing Google Classroom. We can easily say we began to lack that personal touch that came with face-to-face communication for various reasons. Due to the pandemic, many parents did not have regular access to school buildings or in-person teacher conferences. Many teachers throughout the United States relied heavily on emails and digital communication to fill the void and gain some sort of access.
Now that the pandemic has subsided and most restrictions have been lifted for the majority of the United States - it's time to get back to some semblance of normalcy.
It is time to pick up the phone and build genuine relationships with parents by making positive phone calls a regular occurrence. If you haven't made a phone call home all year, you need to start today! Parents need to hear your voice!
More often than not, emails are misinterpreted, and the teacher's tone is often lost within the wording. This is a unique time, and frustrations seem to be at an all-time high.
1. Emailing is vital to memorialize events, but you need to pick up the phone to build relationships with parents.
2. Calling parents and guardians with good news helps develop a healthy and productive relationship.
3. All phone calls from the school should not be perceived as unfavorable; change that pattern by making a phone call monthly with a positive conversation and information about their child's growth and progress within the classroom.
4. When students know that random phone calls are regularly made home because of positive behaviors, these calls only reinforce those positive behaviors. Students will strive to do better.
5. Remember to highlight necessary behaviors like strong attendance, being a good volunteer, helping other students, displaying empathy or grit. Phone calls don't necessarily have to be data-driven or qualitative. Make the phone call personal and highlight their child's strengths.
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6. Keep a written record phone log with dates and times. Create a column to highlight some key phrases or terms you used when communicating.
7. Keep your conversation short and sweet. Remember, it's OK to leave a message when it's positive communication. The most important element is that parents are hearing your voice, showing a humanistic side of your profession, and displaying a simple, heartfelt message you have for their child.
8. Most importantly, there will be times when the phone conversation is not going to be all rainbows and unicorns. But that is OK because you have already built a strong bond and relationship at home. By establishing that relationship, you will have a stronger ally at home to help your partner create structure and discipline for your student.
9. Always remember to compliment the parent and remind them how important their support and partnership is! Remember, it takes a village to raise a child.
10. Making positive phone calls can be a rewarding experience and have a strong impact. Work out a schedule that you can make a short 2 to 3-minute phone call each day. Don't overwhelm yourself and enjoy the journey.
Important teacher takeaways!
Make that call! Parents and guardians need to hear your voice to have a better understanding of who you are as an educator. Without that in-person communication or phone call, they will only know you from emails or how their child describes you, YIKES!. Build those relationships and gain allies as you help mold your students towards future success!
TEACH, SHARE, INSPIRE
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