Sunday, September 11, 2016

PR is Real

Public relations in the classroom is a real thing, especially at the beginning of the year. It's hard to please everyone, but I work hard to make a good impression with parents. It's my job to get them on my side as soon as possible which often requires some sacrifice of both time and money, but I know parents notice.

They notice the phone call I make to them before school even starts.

They notice the personalized post card I send to their child before the year begins.

They notice the apple and note I give them at Back to School Night.

They notice the balloon I leave at their child's desk when they meet me for the first time.

They notice the fact that I update our class website daily and add pictures and descriptions of what their child is doing each day.

As the year starts and parents notice the extra things I'm willing to do to make them comfortable with this person who will watch over their child for the next nine months, I'm essentially making deposits to their account. In fact, before school even starts, their accounts are accumulating with positive reasons to trust me. Along the way though, when I make an error or there's some kind of misunderstanding or an issue arises and it feels like a withdrawal is being made, most parents are more likely to show an extra amount of grace because their accounts were already full. This is less likely to happen with an empty account or one running low on funds, and it usually results in a deficit.

So the little extra things we teachers do for the benefit of our parents during the craziest time of the year when there are already a million things on our plates are worth doing. Don't stop, teachers. Parents are important players in this game, and we want them playing for us and not against. 

What types of deposits are you making?



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12 comments:

  1. Those are such wonderful things you are doing!! And goodness you are right! Those deposits are so important from the parent side of things. It is hard to put your child in the hands on another. But on the other hand, as a teacher, I could be doing a lot more. Thanks for the boost and reminder!
    Em

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    1. Em, I'm in the midst of calling all my parents again (which phone calls are not my thing), but I'm trying to do more as well. You're in good company. :)

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  2. The things you do for parents are generous and exceptional, and I know they are so appreciated. Another great post!

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    1. Anita, thank you. You're a wonderful cheerleader.

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  3. I bet they appreciate all your "PR". I had a class with some complaining parents one year and my admin suggested I do a better job of making those connections early on. It really does make a difference!

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    1. Miss Trayers, Yeah I do believe it does help when we can get parents on our side early on.

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  4. Love your deposits--especially the call you make before school starts. I think I'm going to have to try that next year! The beginning of the year craziness gets the best of me and it is harder to call those first couple weeks. Plus a before school call might help me with my meet the teacher night struggle...I have a hard time juggling the parents and the kids without feeling like I didn't talk to some families enough. :-/

    Crystal

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    1. Crystal, I do think parents appreciate that first phone call. It means something special when a teacher takes the time to contact them before school even starts.

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  5. Hi Tammy,
    I followed your blog when I was in the classroom, but now this is the second year I'm out of the classroom and in the role as a Reading Recovery teacher. My son just started Grade One, and his teacher recently made a sunshine call. Just to say hi and to relay her first impressions following the first two weeks of school. I was so appreciative of that! Coming back to your blog makes me want to jump back into the classroom (even though I do love my new role!). I hope you're still posting when I make the move back to Grade One, or even Kindergarten, in the next few years! Everything you do is so inspiring and ramps up my drive to be a better teacher. Thank you!
    PJ

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    1. PJ, Thank you for such leaving me such an encouraging comment. I'm honored that you would find my blog worthy of your time. I'm trained in Reading Recovery, so I'm sure we are very much like-minded. Thank you again!

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  6. I love the "deposits" you are making! I know that parents must be so appreciative for all that you do for their child. You are a master of PR! :)

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    1. Lori, thank you for thinking so. It always feels good to hear from parents that they appreciate those extra deposits I'm making.

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