Angelica Soto EDU 202 Interview Answers December 5, 2013

PARENT INTERVIEW 1
1. 2. How long have you been a parent? Ten years What are your experiences from your childhood with your parents and school (attitudes/involvement/etc.)?My father and mother made sure I went to school and get an education. My father was auxiliary at my school. 3. How does your childs school invite you to participate in your childs learning? I see the effort of my childrens teachers who make sure my children learn in school, I make an effort to give back to the school by volunteering a day for my childs teacher. 4. 5. Are you pleased with your childs schools approach to parent/teacher communication?Yes Do you have any specific examples of positive/negative interactions/events between you and your childs teacher? The teacher communicates with me through reading logs. I make sure I read with my son every night. The teacher also makes sure my sons do their homework. I am grateful for my sons teachers, they always make sure my son learns and I can see their progress. The result of these efforts are great attendance and positive attitudes toward school. I have nothing negative about events or my childrens teachers. 6. 7. 7. 8. What grade is your child in? 5th and 1st grade What are the ages of your other children (if applicable)?10 and 6 What is the school setting? (public, private, charter, etc.)Public School What is your opinion of the importance of connecting with teachers as a parent?I think is extremely important because this is the way I find out about different activities of the class and school. For example, when the teacher couldnt make our conference time, she left me a

message on my voicemail and I returned her phone call. We were able to agree on a time and day for my childs conference. 9. What is the best form of communication for you? Phone or written messages is the best form of communication for me. I do not have and email address.

Parent Interview 2 1. 2. How long have you been a parent? Nine years What are your experiences from your childhood with your parents and school (attitudes/involvement/etc.)? My parents were not involved. My dad worked all the time and my mom was there, but was never became involved in the school. This is what made me get involved. 3. How does your childs school invite you to participate in your childs learning? Everyone in the school is so welcoming. Everyones friendly. The teachers need assistance and volunteers. It helps my children 4. Are you pleased with your childs schools approach to parent/teacher communication? Absolutely. The teachers are sending letters all the time. They always inform me how my child is doing in school and give me good or bad news that way. 5. Do you have any specific examples of positive/negative interactions/events between you and your childs teacher? All interaction between me and my childrens teachers has been positive. Theyre always involved. I never had a negative experience with their teachers. All is positive. 6. 7. 8. 9. What grade is your child in? First grade and third grade. What are the ages of your other children (if applicable)? Six and nine. What is the school setting? (public, private, charter, etc.) Public What is your opinion of the importance of connecting with teachers as a parent?

On a scale from 1-10, it would 10 plus. You would always need to be a constant communication with the teacher almost on personal basis. I want to know more about them I want them to know more about my children and their personalities. TEACHER INTERVIEW 1 1. 2. How long have you been a teacher? Ive been teaching since 1991 What grades have you taught? I have taught 4th grade, 1st grade, mulit-age group, Kindergarten, Pre-K, Even Start, Physical Education and 2nd grade 3. How has the relationship between parents and teachers changed over time? Parental involvement is not as prevalent as is used to be. I think is because of parents going back to work and the economic times. I think this is the main reason. 4. Describe the ideal parent/teacher relationship? Explain why this is the ideal relationship? Constant communication between home and school by phone, email, or paper is the ideal relationship between parents and teachers. 5. What is your philosophy on communicating with parents? Be prompt and communicate not only things that you have concerns, but to give positive feedback about the student. Many parents that receive a phone call from school automatically think theyre getting bad news. 6. What is your best form of communication? I primarily communicate by phone, but I also do writing and notebook journals for some parents if they ask for it. I also communicate by behavior journals or by email. 7. What are the challenges of the relationships between parents and teachers? Technology. As far as communicating by email -Can you give specific examples? Within the last couple of years Ive seen a demand of instant feedback from parents. They want an instant response and they dont allow the time for a teacher to get back to them. 7. What are the benefits of a good parent/teacher relationship?

-Can you give specific examples? 8. What opportunities for parent involvement do you offer throughout the school year (newsletter, website, workshops, open house, etc.)? We have our parent nights that has to do with Math or Reading. We have playgroups offered to pre-K students. There are parent/teacher conferences twice a year. We have an American Education week where we welcome any parent who would like to participate. We have a program the fathers which is called WATCH D.O.G.S. I also send a weekly newsletter to notify parents of different events or activities we do in class. 8. What is your school doing well to communicate with parents? We have the school improvement plan. The PTA which gives parents the opportunity to provide feedback, concerns or even ideas that as a school we can try. 9. What can your school do to more successfully communicate with parents? I wish we could have more staff the can help with translations.

TEACHER INTERVIEW 2 1. 2. 3. How long have you been a teacher? Eighteen years What grades have you taught? Fourth, fifth, second, and media How has the relationship between parents and teachers changed over time? Theyre harder to get a hold of them. Sometimes parents are working two jobs and its hard to get them. Before there was one parent home and it was easier to contact them. 4. Describe the ideal parent/teacher relationship? Explain why this is the ideal relationship? Open communication. You know that whatever you bring to them, they will support you. 5. What is your philosophy on communicating with parents? Communicate with parents when they are doing well, before anything else. Always start with something positive.

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What are the challenges of the relationships between parents and teachers? The parents sometimes think that its our responsibility to be in charge of everything. -Can you give specific examples? Teaching them to read before they come to school. They need to teach them the numbers, letters before they come to school. They need to build that foundation.

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What are the benefits of a good parent/teacher relationship? Positive support. -Can you give specific examples? The kids see that we work together and they feel comfortable and open.

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What opportunities for parent involvement do you offer throughout the school year (newsletter, website, workshops, open house, etc.)? Parents can visit any time. Be available through phone calls or email. Open door policy. The best communication is phone or personal.

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What is your school doing well to communicate with parents? We notify parents about every event in the school by letters, email, robo calls, newsletter.

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What can your school do to more successfully communicate with parents? There is really nothing else we could add to our school communication. We do it all.