You are listening to episode #14 of the Ready, Set, Science! Podcast. On today’s episode we will be talking about how to build lasting relationships in your school. Relationships build trust among people and are my number one goal when the school year begins! So get ready, get set, let’s teach science!
Building Relationships with Colleagues and Administration
New Teachers
Ask your mentor to give you a tour of the building and meet some of the staff
Start off strong with the people who run the school - secretaries and custodians
Veteran Teachers
Be welcoming to new teachers - no one likes change but it is the only thing in life that is a constant
Offer your help to new teachers!
Did you end the school year on a bad note with anyone on the staff? GO APOLOGIZE!
Building Relationships with students
Show students who you are and learn something about them.
Getting to know you (google form):
See mine here: https://forms.gle/uYjb1q552zNFAMVt7
Birthday messages
Ideas:
Don’t start day one with rules! Show students how fun science can be and how much you love this subject!
Ideas:
Foster curiosity
Bouncy Ball Discovery
Classroom Scavenger Hunt
Discuss misconceptions
What does a scientist look like? Activity by Maniacs in the Middle
Building Relationships with Families
5 positive messages a week
I started this a few years into teaching. I was so tired of receiving emails that were negative or having to send home emails for negative reasons without having ever talked with the parents previously.
The goal is to send home 5 positive emails a week for the entire school year. This means that by the end of the year, all of my students' parents/guardians (125-140) will have received at least one positive message from me during the year.
How to manage this:
I look for things throughout the week to identify as positive. It can be something like being kind to another student or helping a friend, improving a grade, scoring well on an assessment or coming to class prepared every day.
Because I teach older students, I also make sure they know that I appreciate the effort they put in. I have a “note from Mrs. B” template that I send home with them. It usually earns them a homework pass or some bonus points for their class. I also let them know that I am going to email their parents to let them know how proud I am of their work.
Keep a list, I write them down as the week goes on and then Friday, I send a quick email. Like I said I strive from 5 a week but something I send more or less.
Keep the emails quick! It can be a few quick sentences.
Email example:
Hello Mr. and Mrs. Parent,
I wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that I was so proud of the effort Sally put into her science project. She really put in the extra time and it was obvious by her excellent work. I can wait to hear more about it when she presents next week. Have a great weekend!
Hello Mr. and Mrs. Parent,
I wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that I was so proud of Ben today. He was so helpful to a classmate that was struggling with a reading assignment in class. Without prompting he offered to help and even gave the classmate a few tips on how to get started. He is truly a great friend and a wonderful student. Have a great weekend!
Try this “parent homework” from Maniacs in the Middle
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