Empower parents: Four ways teachers can partner with parents

With the rise of virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, parents had a front row seat to school curricula for one of the first times in modern history. Sometimes parents were surprised by what they saw, which led to an increased desire to be involved in their children’s education. 

As students return to the classroom, teachers may be wondering: How do I keep parents involved in a way that’s productive for me and my students?

Here are a few concrete ways to help parents feel more like partners in the classroom instead of bystanders.

1. Create a parent-specific newsletter.

Whether you send it on a weekly or monthly basis, newsletters are a great way to stay in touch with parents. By preemptively sharing information about what’s going on in the classroom, parents won’t feel the need to ask as many questions. In addition, teachers can address common questions in one fell swoop, instead of having to address each parent question individually. 

2. Host a curriculum night.

At the beginning of each school year or semester, teachers can invite parents to review upcoming curricula. Pass out sample worksheets. Flip through textbooks. The more information you can share, the better. Be prepared for questions!

3. Send out surveys.

It’s important to check in with parents multiple times throughout the school year. View surveys as a temperature check. Are parents happy with how the school year’s going? Or is there room for improvement? Make sure to ask multiple-choice questions as well as long-form questions. Parents may have creative ideas that can only be shared through written responses. 

4. Pick up the phone.

Too often, schools only call parents when something has gone wrong. Instead, make it a goal to call each parent once per semester to simply ask, “How do you think things are going?” This simple practice will go a long way in building partnerships with parents. 

Perhaps the most difficult situation is when a parent is uninterested in their child’s education. However, strategies like the ones above may help engage such a parent. Also consider connecting these struggling parents with a group of successful parents or possibly a church group where they can be encouraged. 

When teachers build strong partnerships with parents, it helps the children they both love and serve thrive.