INTERNSHIP PRACTICUM REFLECTIVE JOURNAL WEEK 3
ERDISTON TEACHERS’ TRAINING COLLEGE
POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN EDUCATIONAL
LEADERSHIP
DEL 108- ADMINISTRATORS’ CLINICAL
INTERNSHIP
REFLECTIONS WEEK 3
Over the years, I have come to
appreciate the immense value of fostering strong relationships with parents.
Open communication channels often yield positive outcomes, as I’ve observed
firsthand that many parents, when contacted about their child’s behaviour, can
implement meaningful, long-lasting changes. Some parents are very effective,
while others may face challenges, sometimes attributing issues to
uncontrollable factors like anger management issues or ADHD. Consistent contact
also benefitted them during the COVID-19 period, as parents found comfort in
being reliably informed, which alleviated anxieties around the return to face-to-face
learning.
One area for improvement I’ve
identified is reaching out not only when there are problems but also when
students show progress or achieve something noteworthy. Though I have started
doing this, I aim to be more vigilant in recognizing and communicating growth
or improvements. Just as students benefit from encouragement, so do parents,
especially in today’s challenging parenting landscape. When parents see their
efforts reflected in their child’s improvements, their confidence grows, and
they are often more inclined to stay actively involved in their child’s
education. Megan Hall the 2013 Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year explained that
both teacher and parent have similar goals for their children. Giving the
parents positive feedback about their children could help them gauge their
effectiveness as parents.
Improved student conduct has a
ripple effect, enhancing not only the learning environment but also students'
academic performance. My plan is to actively encourage parents to align with
the school’s vision, fostering a strong support system for our students. Reinforcing
this approach with form teachers is essential, as building strong
parent-teacher relationships can bring about substantial positive change. With
a united effort, we can create a nurturing environment that allows students to
thrive academically and behaviourally.
Positive teacher-parent
relationships can also empower us to address some of the challenges that impact
our teaching effectiveness, particularly in situations with limited resources.
As Hall describes, these connections can help close the "opportunity
gap" by creating a bridge for support and resources essential to our
students' success. She explained that building a network that includes other
schools, community organizations, and families provides a foundation for
sharing resources and assisting children in ways that we may not be able to
accomplish alone.
Parents, for instance, can
contribute valuable insights that help us identify root causes of negative behaviour,
allowing for targeted interventions and referrals to the appropriate support
agencies. I also envision enhanced parental involvement in improving our school
environment. By actively engaging with parents, we could tap into their skills,
professional knowledge, and resources to address needs such as classroom maintenance.
I believe that a strengthened partnership with parents could lead to a more enriched
and supportive learning atmosphere for our students.
Reference
[TEDx Talks. Megan Olivia Hall]. (2013, November 7). Building
relationships between parents and teachers [Video]. Youtube.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kin2OdchKMQ
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