Welcome to Part 2 of LifelineExtensions.blog’s “Back-to-School Wish List 3-Day Series” of candid conversations, honest feedback, and simple solutions as described by students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
Feedback:
“Ongoing and honest data that gives relevant and meaningful information about what’s being done the right way, AND about what’s being done the wrong way as it relates to a particular individual, group, or environment. Feedback also provides proactive and targeted solutions for immediate, realistic, and appropriate corrections; and for sustained progress designed to enhance the performance and the overall achievement of every stakeholder group represented.”
Therefore, randomly-selected representatives from each stakeholder group were recently asked by LifelineExtensions.blog to give feedback in response to the following:
SHARE THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT YOUR WISH LISTS WOULD LOOK LIKE IF YOU COULD OPENLY ASK STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, OR ADMINISTRATORS TO EITHER DO OR NOT DO CERTAIN THINGS EACH SCHOOL YEAR -- THIS WOULD BE A WAY TO MAKE A CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR BETTER THAN OTHER YEARS.
NOTE: The intent of these candid conversations is to provide an uninterrupted opportunity for stakeholders to anonymously share honest “wish list requests” with other stakeholder members by avoiding sharing the feedback in the form of a complaint. Also, note that some of the feedback provided by this random sampling may or may not apply to your particular school or school system; and this sampling in no way represents all of the “wishes” teachers and administrators might have for a great school year…
With that said, here is what The Teachers & Administrators included on their wish list:
Administrators and teachers want parents to call, e-mail, or schedule meetings with teachers first, and not contact the administrator first when there is a question or concern regarding a classroom issue. The teachers are in the classrooms with the students and are the best people to answer specific questions or address any concerns about what's going on in the classroom. When parents reach out to administrators first, the administrator will then need to speak with the teacher to get input and clarify things -- this delays how long it will take to correct something that may be affecting a student.
Also, teachers and administrators want the parents to keep in mind that elementary and middle school children may not always be able to relay complete messages about what's going on in school, just because of the age-factor. It's always helpful when parents contact the teacher about classroom concerns, and the administrator about school concerns before coming to any solid conclusions about a situation. The kids do the best they can to convey entire messages, but this doesn't always happen because their young minds interpret things based on their ages, so calm communication between the parent and the teacher or administrator can and should quickly take place to clear up any misunderstandings.
Administrators want parents to speak with them directly if they have a big or small school-wide concern. Together the administrator and the parents can then work on coming up with the best simple solution for a particular problem or would-be problem.
Teachers want parents to read with younger students each night to help improve literacy and develop language skills. They also want parents to make sure older students are reading independently on a nightly basis for literacy and language development.
Teachers of younger students also need parents to help with the work being done in the classroom by regularly reviewing sight words and spelling words with the children at home (it helps to have this done several times per week, if not nightly).
Administrators want teachers to notify them right away with any concern about a student when that concern is first noted --not at the end of a school day (or end of a marking period, or school year). For example, if a 1st or 2nd period high school teacher suspects that a student may be drunk or high on drugs during that morning class; administrators and guidance counselors need and want to know right then so they can meet with the student to make a sound assessment before moving forward with the best action for the student's health, safety, and overall well-being.
Teachers want administrators to give them the heads-up about any parental concerns that were taken directly to the administrator. Most teachers will want to call the parent during a break in the school day to iron out any issues and clarify any misunderstandings BEFORE they grow into huge problems. Teachers also want to feel supported by administrators and know that the administrator will be available to sit in on meetings or phone conversations with parents whenever there is a potential conflict between the teacher and the parent.
Administrators and teachers want parents to understand that they are partners working together with each other for the common good of the students. The educators and the parents share the responsibility of ensuring the success of a given student -- working together as a team always proves itself to be the most effective approach.
Teachers and administrators want students to tell them immediately if they are being teased or bullied, or if they see someone else being teased or bullied -- these anti-bullying reports are confidential, and the reporting student's name won't be used during conversations or meetings with the student who has bullied/teased; or with that student's parents, etc.
Educators want and need all of the students to understand that it is everyone's school, not just the adults' school. They also need the students to help with the development and fostering of a healthy school climate and culture where anyone who resorts to bullying/teasing and inappropriate behaviors instantly realizes that their behaviors aren't welcome and won't be tolerated in a Bully-Free Zone. The adults in the building just can't do this alone.
Teachers want to know from parents (and older students themselves, when possible) about any significant changes in the student's home life, such as the death of a loved one, etc. Not only does this allow the guidance counselor, teacher, and/or administrator to check in on the emotional state of the student; but it allows the teacher to be able to be more understanding of and less confused by any significant mood/behavior change with the student.
Administrators and teachers need parents to help the school by reinforcing school and classroom behavioral expectations at home. When students recognize that there is such a tight home-school connection and line of ongoing communication, they've shown repeatedly that they are more apt to behave appropriately in school. It's also important for the students to see this level of partnership between all of the adults -- students of all ages are very perceptive, and they know when there is tension of any kind between the adults.
Teachers and administrators also want and need parents to help the kids understand how important it is to admit when they've done something wrong, and not to make excuses about any misguided or inappropriate behaviors.
The educators ask that parents make sure all younger students eat a healthy breakfast every morning; and they want all older students to make sure they eat a healthy breakfast every morning, as well. Students need this good nutrition ("brain food") start to each day so they can concentrate on learning during the school day -- they exert a lot of mental energy during the school day.
Morning arrivals that happen after the late bell make it hard (and sometimes impossible) for students to keep up with the lessons being taught. The students also sometimes miss out on rich classroom activities and discussions. The school needs the help of the parents to make sure students get to school on time. Educators understand that emergencies do occur in every household, including theirs -- so, an occasional lateness is not usually a big problem. Regular lateness is a problem, and can easily be reflected in the student's grades, his or her ability to fully understand and do the work, and in overall student behaviors. Most students don't like arriving late to school, and they become stress-filled when they are late.
And, there you have it from the teachers and administrators.
LifelineExtensions.blog encourages all of its readers who are teachers and administrators in elementary through high school settings to take this opportunity to post an uninterrupted wish list item in the “Post Comments” section below this article.
***Please note that any posted comments which name individual students, parents, educators, schools, or school systems will have to be immediately deleted from this blog site.***
We are, however, CALLING ON ALL TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS to take this time to give helpful and honest feedback to your students and their parents, and to each other.
Remember, everyone wants the best for the children being served…and, everyone wants to enjoy his/her workplace.
Sometimes this requires a lot more candid and uninterrupted conversation, a good blend of collective creativity, and true understanding on the part of the adults; as well as some simple solutions to continue perfecting what’s being done right; or to immediately and realistically repair what’s being done wrong.
Log in again on Thurs., 8/20 for Part 3 of the series:
Back-to-School Wish List ~ The Student Perspective... you WON'T want to miss this honest, helpful, and pointed feedback from the kids...
Sharon M. Biggs, M.A.
Educational Leader
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