To create a cohesive student support team, teachers and family members must come together to encourage students throughout their educational journey. Open communication is a top priority for teachers, as they search for strategies to increase communication and keep families engaged throughout the school year.
The DE Team asked members of the Discovery Educator Network to share their advice on establishing communication channels with families and maintaining that communication all school year long!
Digital Communication
Think about all the ways you receive communication in your life—text messages, emails, app notifications on your cell phone. These are all options for communicating with students’ families and caregivers! Here’s what the DEN shared about how they use digital communication to connect with their students’ caregivers:
- I am known by my students as the teacher who is always texting families. It starts before day one. I send a message introducing myself and reminding them of the start date for the course. At the end of day 1, I make contact with the students who didn’t come for the first day. Starting in the second week, I send positive messages home. My goal is to text every family something positive before the end of each block. As situations arise, I make sure to text message those families to keep the students on track. Any special events that are happening also get sent home in a message to families. I have found that this increases family engagement, and it gives them someone they are familiar with when they need to reach out. – Jim Tobin, High School Science Teacher
- We use tools that allow teachers to text or email students and families. We share messages and attachments via text and email, but probably one of the best ways we connect with families and share updates is via social media. When we hold exciting school events or Virtual Field Trips, I create a newsletter-style promotion and share it via social media, print, and email. – Rita Mortenson, High School Educational Technology Coach
Phone Communication
DEN STAR and Science Instructional Coach Merek Chang shared that phone calls are “an oldie but a goodie” when it comes to family communication. Making a quick phone call can get questions answered quickly and create a more genuine, human connection. Starting with an introduction call before there is real news to share with family members can help offer background on your students and opens future opportunities for communication. Just remember to make phone calls for positive and constructive reasons, not just for tough-to-receive feedback!
Online Educational Platforms
Many families are curious about what their children are learning in school, and many online educational platforms can connect families directly to the resources students are exploring in class. Share instructions for family members to log in or encourage them to ask their children to log in and show their families what they’re learning. This kind of connection to academic resources can also inspire family conversations about the content and provide opportunities for students to extend their learning further.
Including families in students’ educational journeys is a great way to help build a well-rounded support system for students as they take on the school year’s challenges. With regular communication routines, educators can create a united front with families to help encourage student learning.
