Educators understand, respect and support the role of parents and the community in the education of students. Educators communicate effectively and in a timely manner with parents and consider their advice on matters pertaining to their children.
TRB Standard 4 Evidence #1
Reflection on Evidence #1
During my last semester at VIU I had the opportunity to work on an Earth Charter Action Project. We had heard of a mother in Port Alberni Who was fighting for a Natural Playground at her school and we asked if we could be part of the process. We had started to research the benefits of Natural Playgrounds and the outdoors when she let us know she had won the fight. She said that she had been approached by other parents with students at other schools wanting to create the same sort of playground at their school communities (some even in other towns such as Campbell River). We then shifted the focus of our project from helping the mother to creating a resource for others fighting for the Natural Playground. The benefits of integrating Nature and the outdoors into education are numerous (especially for cognitive and social development as well as environmental conservation) and many parents see the value.
This was a great opportunity to help a parent fight for something that they value in their school and in their child's life. As teachers if we listen and implement suggestions from parents it serves to build a stronger sense of community. We want parents to know that their input is valued. We want students to know that we are in contact with their parents and have their best interests in mind. Nobody knows a student like his or her parents.
This was a great opportunity to help a parent fight for something that they value in their school and in their child's life. As teachers if we listen and implement suggestions from parents it serves to build a stronger sense of community. We want parents to know that their input is valued. We want students to know that we are in contact with their parents and have their best interests in mind. Nobody knows a student like his or her parents.
TRB Standard 4 Evidence # 2 Parent Teacher Interviews
Reflection on Evidence #1
During my fall 2016 practicum at Timberline Secondary in Campbell River, I got the opportunity to sit in and participate in parent teacher interviews. It was a really eye opening experience. Generally everyone wanted the same thing, for the student to be successful. It was cool to talk about strategies on how to help the students. Some of the parents wanted information on how they could help their kids at home and some had some ideas about things I could implement into a class. It was a very collaborative atmosphere.
There was even a few kids with complicated family dynamics and it really made me respect the amount of effort that they put into class daily. It gave more outside context on who the students were as people. If we get to know students as people we can help them learn more effectively and create a learning environment that is personalized to their own needs.
Keeping in contact with parents is a very powerful tool to help students learn. My sponsor and my supervisor said that we should resally focus on building relationships with parents because than we can have support for our teaching in the students homes. Both students and parents need to know that educators care about the successes of the students.
There was even a few kids with complicated family dynamics and it really made me respect the amount of effort that they put into class daily. It gave more outside context on who the students were as people. If we get to know students as people we can help them learn more effectively and create a learning environment that is personalized to their own needs.
Keeping in contact with parents is a very powerful tool to help students learn. My sponsor and my supervisor said that we should resally focus on building relationships with parents because than we can have support for our teaching in the students homes. Both students and parents need to know that educators care about the successes of the students.