Chapter Two: Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Education 2.1 Family Engagement

Holly Yurkovich
Teacher Academy
Mrs.Shank
20 January 2021
Chapter Two: Culturally responsive and inclusive education
2.1 Family Engagement
4.6.1 Describe the advantages and importance of family or caregiver involvement in learner development
To have a successful and effective school year, teachers need to know the best ways to contact the
parents/caregivers. Also, the best way for the parents/caregiver to contact the teacher, The importance of
being an effective teacher is how you communicate with the student families and have them involved in
their child’s academics. As the teacher, there are many different tools and ways for teachers to
communicate.
One of the biggest shortfalls in a student’s education is how much time and effort the parents put
into their child’s education. In IES-NCES article National Center For Education Statistics, it talks about
how there is a big percent of lack of parent education to help with schoolwork. Also talks about cultural
differences which include language differences between parents and staff. (Evidence 2.1.1) There are
many advantages to having a close relationship with The family. One advantage that I think is very good
is to understand and know who the teacher is because they are with your student for five to seven hours a
day. Also, having communication and trust is the big key to student’s success. Sometimes connecting with
the parents might seem challenging for some teachers but there are many outlets for teachers to
communicate. There is a large percentage of parents who are not involved in their child's education.
(Evidence 2.1.2) With this article I read from National Education Assionation There are 10 different ideas
to engage parents in for example one way is focusing on the positives by focusing on their child’s
successes. Also sharing about school experiences ask about what they did during school to get
conversation. Lastly, teachers visiting parents directly to their house to help fit into their schedule. Some
parents are too busy to meet with the teacher. By the teacher going to the house it will make parents help
improve in child’s learning.
Each teacher communicates differently. They all have ways that are effective and ways that are
not. I had the opportunity to interview my placement teacher, Mrs.Clark. Mrs. Clark is a Kindergarten
teacher at Oak Creek Elementary School. (Evidence 2.1.3) The way that she communicates with her
parents is by email. One thing that she does is sends a newsletter out every Friday. I believe that a
newsletter is very important to help the parent’s understand what is going on in the classroom. It also
allows them to get involved in their student’s development. It gives them an idea of what their child is
learning. It sets out the weekly plan and tells them what is going on and how to help their child if need be.
She also has a Class Dojo which is an app that has all the students in her class and it allows the parents to
see what the students are doing in class. The app includes The teacher can add pictures and videos to the
app. Class Dojo also has a green and redpoint system that the students earn for things they are doing good
and bad. This way it gives the parents an idea of how their child is acting at school. Another thing is she
also sends home papers in their take home folder. Mrs. Clark sends home a hard copy of the class calendar
each month which is also attached to the weekly newsletter. I had the opportunity to make my newsletter
(Evidence 2.1.4). There are so many different apps that other teachers use like remind, seesaw, parent
square, simply circle, and a lot more. (Evidence 2.1.5) I believe that a newsletter is very important for the
parents to understand what is going on in the classroom. It also allows them to get involved in their
student’s development. It gives them an idea of what their child is learning.
There are many ways to be involved in student development, which have benefits for children,
parents, and teachers. (Evidence 2.1.6) One of the benefits of the children is having family development
on the child’s education. There tends to be a high achievement in grades and test scores and their
attendance in school. It Also, shows that children have a consistent work ethic at home and completes
assignments and homework. It also students are more self-confident and motivated towards school. It also
gives the student a positive attitude towards school and it also improves the way they do at school. The
benefit for parents is that it increases their interaction and discussion with their children. It allows parents
to support their student’s social, emotional, and intellectual development needs at school. It also allows
parents to be more involved in their parent’s decision-making skills about their child’s education. When
parents are better aware of what their child is learning they are more likely to help when requested by the
teacher to be more involved in their learning at home. When parents are involved it often gives the teacher
greater respect for their profession to be the parents. Parent involvement leads to better communication
and relationship between the teacher, parent, and student. communication with the parent gives the teacher
a better understanding of the family’s culture and diversity and respect for the parents. The way it gives on
the school and community is with involved parents it gives a better reputation in the community about the
school. Schools that have good teachers that communicate with the parents tend to do better and have
higher programs than other schools that do not involve parents.
There are many ways families can contribute to their student’s learning. An example is
conferences. Conferences are ways for parents to see how their child is doing in the class. I had the
opportunity to make my own student-led parent-teacher conferences. I created ways I would invite the
parents. First, I would send a parent letter home letting them know about the conference than a notice
before the meeting. Then, I would also send a parent questionnaire to see if there are any specific topics
that they would like to talk about or have concerns about. Then, I would make a checklist for me as the
teacher and one for the student. This is important especially if they are part of the conference. This is a
way to show the parent what they can do and how they feel they are doing in the classroom. Lastly, I
would create a reflection sheet with the student and parent goals for us to work on as a team. I think
participating in the conference is a very effective way for the family engagement in the students'
academics. If parents can not come, I would make time to visit with parents and work around their work
schedule even if that means me coming in early or making other arrangements.. (Evidence 2.1.7)
I feel it's necessary to have a good and effective engagement with the families and the teacher. By
using all different types of communication and tools you can have a positive outcome with
communication with the families about you will have better relationships with the students. Find what
works best for you as the teacher and what works best for the families. Just remember to always focus on
the positive and not always the negative when talking to the parents and share about their child’s learning.

Chapter Two: Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Education 2.1 Family Engagement

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter Two: Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Education 2.1 Family Engagement

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter Two: Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Education 2.1 Family Engagement

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Holly Yurkovich

Chapter Two: Culturally responsive and inclusive education

2.1 Family Engagement

improve in child’s learning.

student’s development. It gives them an idea of what their child is learning.

higher programs than other schools that do not involve parents.

You might also like