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Standard 4: Educators value the involvement and support of parents, guardians, families and
communities in schools. Educators understand, respect and support the role of parents and the
community in the education of students. Educators communicate effectively and in a timely
manner with parents and consider their advice on matters pertaining to their children (TRB
Standards).
Second, receiving the completed surveys confirmed how valuable the involvement and input of
parents/caregivers and families is for me as a teacher. From the surveys, I gained insights into
individual students, and about the class as a group. Having parents and caregivers advice
about how to engage, comfort and refocus their child, allowed me to see each child from
another point of view and to use language in line with what children heard at home (e.g. to
comfort or motivate). I found their advice helped me to build connections with their children.
Further, learning about interests, strengths and stretches shared across students helped me to
plan how I delivered material and engaged students, as well as topics of interest to explore
content. For example, from the surveys, I learned that many of the children in the class enjoyed
hands-on activities such as arts, crafts and building. In response, I incorporated many creative
and manipulative-based activities in math and in writing to help anchor concepts and engage
the students.
Further, children are part of their families and communities, and each childs education needs
to take place in relationship to, not apart from them. Just as our new curriculum encourages
educators to root learning in place, I also believe I need to root learning activities and content
in the context languages, family experiences, community structures of the children in my
classes. To do this, I need to keep open lines of communication with caregivers and families so
that they feel like valued parts of their childs education.
It is important to me that I start my career with this attitude and knowledge, because I know I
may also face challenging situations with families and caregivers over the course of my career.
Being able to incorporate and value the contributions of caregivers, families and communities
may feel at times like it makes my job more challenging and cumbersome. Ultimately, however,
it will ensure that I dont lose sight of my students as children who are part of these families
and communities and whose learning needs to reflect and enrich the lives of the people around
them. From this letter and survey, I have seen firsthand that parents or caregivers are
important team members and I need them to help me better reach and teach their child.