I'm not sure if it's just my impression, but at the beginning of the school year, I don't know who is more scared: the children, the families, or me. High expectations are created everywhere, and families put pressure on teachers, demanding that their children adapt to the new methodology, which means adapting to the new teacher.
I've always felt that pressure to meet expectations until I got tired and decided to believe more in myself, in my experience, and in what works, always being open to improving or learning from those who do it well.
I know that the beginning of the school year is a crucial moment to establish a solid connection with your students and their parents or families. Trust is the foundation of this relationship and is essential to creating a positive and effective environment for everyone. That's why I wanted to write this post with some tips to earn and maintain the trust of parents and students, not just at the beginning of the school year but throughout the entire school year.
1. The Importance of Credibility
A lack of trust will cost you the connection with your students and parents. Distrust will reduce your credibility and decrease your opportunities to establish a solid and effective relationship with them. Credibility is one of your most valuable assets as an educator. A great teacher takes responsibility for the distrust of parents and students, accepts it, and never takes it personally; they simply address it and try to overcome it.
2. How to Handle the Distrust of Parents and Students
One rule that has worked for me to handle the distrust of parents is to show them printed material that validates your information. Here are some key steps:
Document Everything: Always write down what you say, offer, propose, promise, and suggest. Each time you're about to implement a new project or method, insist on putting it in writing. A forgotten or contradictory statement can cost you a lot, and trust is lost very quickly.
Provide Concrete Data: Parents increasingly depend on concrete data to trust the educational process or the information you want to share with them. It's essential to find this information and present it clearly and simply to help them understand and support your approach or decisions.
Use Research-Based Information: Some families don't understand what you do, but they believe their opinion is knowledge and will try to refute your ideas. Provide data on the effectiveness of certain teaching techniques or statistics on child development. When facts, data, and logic are lacking, people become emotional and irrational, leading to many problems.
3. Understand the Biggest Concerns and Pains of Parents and Families and Provide Them Security
Parents distrust the teacher more than their children; it used to be the other way around, but not anymore. If you can, use the work, exercises, and everything your students do to support your actions. For example, one of the resources that I use at the beginning of the year, "Back to School Activities and Crafts," allows the children to write a message to their families about how they felt, what they enjoyed, what they didn't, etc the first week of school. It's in these simple things that you can gain a lot of trust. Remember, power resides in the details.
4. Help Them Believe in You
Parents and students want to believe in you, but you have to help them. If you have a good attitude and believe in your teaching method(s), then when you need to send information to families, help yourself a little and strengthen your presentation with written information. This way:
Reinforce Your Credibility: Parents don't have to trust only your
words. By reading that what you said is true, they have no choice but to believe you.Generate Transparency and Trust: Keep parents regularly informed with progress reports, whether individual or group. Transparency in your communication reinforces trust and demonstrates your commitment to their children's education.
Starting the school year with a clear strategy to earn the trust of parents and students is crucial for educational success. However, this is not a one-time task; it is a continuous effort throughout the school year. By following these tips and maintaining open and honest communication, you can establish a solid foundation of trust that will benefit everyone in the educational community.
Remember, trust is not gained overnight, but with consistency and transparency, you can create a learning environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Good luck in this new school year!
What strategies have you found most effective in building trust with your students and their families? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
Good luck in this new school year!
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