Family Connections

My relationship with the families of incoming students needs to begin before the first day of school. Reaching out to know who my students are in the context of their family, community, and the wider society establishes a connection based on real interest and begins the process of trust that is critical to serving my students fully. This is a part of my job as a teacher that I cannot afford to overlook. Parents can require time to have faith in my best intentions and my expertise, so the sooner I start, the earlier in the year I can get parents on board when advocating for students any way they may need. I start every year connecting with families frequently to share positive moments in their child's day; for some families this may be the first time they have heard anything positive about their child in school. The greater the behavioral challenges, the more important it is to establish a narrative of genuine appreciation for the unique qualities and strengths of the child. I enjoy the connections I make with families each year; this is not a burden of our work, it is part of the reward.

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