Oral history project engages students and builds family and community connections Using a microfilm machine for the first time… Watching a local news broadcast from the mid-nineties about the Blizzard of ’93… Holding an authentic newspaper from 1941… Facetiming across the Pacific Ocean, bridging generations, cultures, and language… Visiting the largest library in Pittsburgh to
Helping children with disabilities by supporting families In my first years as a special education teacher, I taught a sixth grade student with Down Syndrome to tie her shoes. When her parent came to pick her up one afternoon, the student and I shared the good news. The parent’s face turned red, she clenched her
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As a lifelong educator, I have realized that implementing some consistent structures and routines at home with my own children have significantly contributed to their success as students. In talking with many of the parents of the students at my schools, it is clear that many of them have no structures in place at home
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How developing a Dream Team can promote student success Many years ago, after a meeting about a student with the child’s grandmother, I realized the short-sightedness of my communication salutation, “Dear Parents.” At the time, I switched it to “Dear Families,” but lately, I’m wondering if there is a need for another shift, another innovation,
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Four questions to consider when communicating with parents Schools and school systems have to work hard to balance the needs of creating student-centered learning environments, leading efforts to shift teacher mindsets and skills, and understanding and implementing efforts to prepare students to be productive contributors to society. New initiatives come from multiple sources: the federal
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Opportunities abound for teachers to make connections with diverse families. As we welcome students into our classrooms each year, we are reminded of the important role families play in our students’ education. We listen as administrators discuss the importance of community and parental involvement. We attend workshops that share strategies for engaging families and absorbing
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