Building Strong Relationships with Care

Transcript

Kris  0:00  

Hey, everybody, and welcome back to the learning loop podcast. Super excited to hear today to be talking about family engagement with Tiffany woods. She’s an administrator in Oklahoma has a wealth of experience here to bring and this is going to provide us some awesome answers. Tiffany, I’ll let you quickly introduce yourself before I kick off my first question.

Tiffany  0:17  

Okay. My name is Tiffany wood. I’m an instructional technology coordinator and mid/del public schools here in Oklahoma. I get to work with teachers and using technology and technology tools in their classroom in a developmentally appropriate way. And I absolutely love what I do.

Kris  0:35  

Yes, yes. And you’re so so good at it to like, have to just to, you’re amazing. And everybody who gets to interact with you is like Tiffany, she’s so fun. She’s just like, the most exciting person ever. So we’re very excited. You’re here. And we’re very excited just to be asking you a few questions about family engagement, we’ll kick off with a pretty easy one. Why is family engagement important to you in your role?

Tiffany  1:00  

Okay, and my role instructional Tech coordinator, families, they, they love to see what’s going on in their kids classroom, they love to see how the teacher is teaching, but they know they can’t be in the classroom. And so one of the, I don’t know, one of the great things about seesaw is that they can the, it’s like building a digital portfolio or a digital scrapbook for the family. So every time your student gets to record themselves, or explain something, and then you get to post it, and it goes into their little scrapbook online. It’s absolutely amazing. So you get to actually like hear your child in kindergarten reading. And then again in second grade, and then again in third grade, and you’re like, oh my gosh, they used to not be able to say this word. And now listen to them read and they’re doing so amazing. And it just kind of builds that. And so I just think that’s so meaningful for families, I love the way that digital tools allow families to be in the classroom. Without being in the classroom, they have to go to work. And we understand that but I love watching kids grow, I love watching them learn I love how how they do things in their classroom, and it just makes me so happy. So to get families, not just to come to parent night or the PTA meetings to to actually be in the classroom, and get to hear their kids learn and what their kids can do. It’s just, it’s incredible.

Kris  2:19  

Amazing, for sure. And I think what you’re really opening there and what you’re talking to is be going beyond just that connection, like how are you actually having a partnership with these families, and, you know, having them be the teacher at home or the teacher right next to you. So I just love your emphasis on that and how important that is for you and your teachers. All right, we’ll jump into our second question here. We’ve heard from other teachers and administrators that back to school time or back to school nights, in particular, is a great time to connect with families and really to kick off that relationship. How do you establish that to start your school year with a strong relationship with your family’s.

Tiffany  3:02  

So we do have back to school night. I think it’s fun, because you get to come in and meet your teacher and show show your kid around and walk through the school. This is where you’re gonna go get breakfast, this is where you’re gonna go to your classrooms where you hang up your backpack, this is your desk. And I think that’s really important that I think getting parents signed up for all of the things so that they can stay informed, not just when they’re invited to the school at conferences, but they can stay informed on a daily basis. I think that is honestly more important. I don’t know if that’s right. But

Kris  3:37 

that’s okay. I mean, you’re speaking to being just really purposeful about that moment in saying like we are here, we want to make sure that you get familiar with the school and what’s happening, and then also set that up for success moving forward going into the rest of the year. Is there anything else specifically you do during back to school that sets up for that long term success.

Tiffany  3:59  

So in my role, we try to make sure the entire district is ready for back to school night. And we try to make sure the every single teacher has a way to connect with families and has a plan for how they want to communicate with their families and keep them involved throughout the school year. So not just oh, we’re having parent teacher conferences in two weeks, make sure you sign up for your time. It’s more hay Friday is dress up day, don’t forget to bring your pickle money, like all of those things, as well as look what we’re doing in class. We’re doing these incredible things. And it’s how you want to build that communication. Because one of the hardest things as a teacher, you can’t sit down in the evening and call 27 parents, it’s just you’re not going to get a hold of all of them. You need to spend time with your family like it’s just not possible. So it’s to streamline that communication and to build those positive relationships. And one of the easiest ways possible using those tools or using whatever mode of communication you want to that is the best way to set that up for success so that you can on back to school night. Yes meet them in person build that relationship, but then keep that communication going. You can’t just meet somebody once and say they’re your friend. Like, you have to build that relationship all the way through.

Kris  5:10  

Yes, yeah. I love to how you expanded beyond just like communication, like, how are you sharing about learning? How are you sharing about progress and growth. And, you know, really getting to that point, you said earlier of like, I’m going to engage these family members, these parents in the learning process and not just have it be a one way street, we want to build this to be a two way street. So

Tiffany  5:33  

when you have that relationship, and you have that, that, like you said, the street built, then if there is an issue, or if there is a brag point, you have the evidence to support what you’re saying about someone’s child. So hey, they’re struggling with these sight words. Just listen to them and help them say these sight words. It’s all here in this app, or it’s all here and in wherever your learning management system is. It’s all there for you. And so I think that is also really great, because you’re empowering parents, just giving them a list of spelling words, they may not know what to do with that, but giving them the tools to listen to your kid, this is what they can do. Okay, so now we need to take the next step. And they can see what’s happening in your classroom. So they can support their child at home, but it’s also your kids doing so great. Listen to this, or, Hey, they’re struggling with these two things, can you work on that. And if you already have that communication built, and that communication and relationship setup, then it’s not you attacking a parent or you saying something bad about their child, it’s you saying, Hey, I know they can do better. Let’s work on that.

Kris  6:35  

Yeah, I really love how you talked about and you said the word empowerment, empowering and giving them some, some tools and everything that they need to be that partner with you. So that’s just an amazing mindset to have around, you know, involving families at such a deep level and empowering them literally to be your partner in that. That’s, that’s just, I think so many schools should really strive for that. And so many would benefit from that having that be a part of the learning process. families, teachers, students and the community that’s around them. So that’s my daughter isn’t

Tiffany  7:11  

in daycare, and I get to they have an app. And so they send me her lesson plan every week. And then they tell me, like, they send me pictures of what she’s doing. And they asked for me to like work on certain things at home, or she should be hitting this milestone and those things like, and I, I love it, because it keeps me in her classroom. And it kind of squelches my anxiety like I don’t, I know, she’s learning. I know, she’s doing great, I know, she’s happy. I know, she’s eating all of her food, like all of those things. And so I get to be a part of her day, even though I don’t get to see her because I’m at work. So I feel like parents in schools, I feel like they need that too. Once my daughter starts school, it’s, it’s gonna be really hard for me not to be in her classroom, I want to know that she’s doing really well. And I want to know that, that she’s growing and developing and hitting on all of her milestones. And so I just think that the more engaged you are as a parent, and the more teachers can engage parents, the more people you have advocating for that child.

Kris  8:05  

Yeah, and being a part of their child’s day, I love that that for you specifically, is just, you know, you can’t ever trade that out for anything, if you can be a part of their day, whether you’re at work, whether you’re at home, wherever you are. I think that’s every parent wants that every parent wants that to go on forever and ever and ever. So it’s amazing. Can you share an example from your role that highlights the impact that a positive relationship with families has had?

Tiffany  8:35  

From my role as instructional coach,

Kris  8:39  

as a teacher, or whichever role you want? Can you have any examples of just a time when family engagement really made an impact in either a student’s life or in your life? time when that was just something that was a highlight for you?

Tiffany  8:55  

Then gotcha, there’s so many. I want my students and I love their families. When I was a librarian and classroom teacher at the same time, I, I got to do card duty. And that sounds so silly, but I absolutely loved seeing the parents or whoever would pick up those kids and getting to talk to them. Like, oh my gosh, I saw them in the library today. They did such a great job. Oh, did you hear them doing this? They were so fantastic. I saw them in the hall. They they were walking exactly like they were supposed to or, Oh, they had a tough day today. But here’s what we did. Like, it’s just I love having those conversations because I get to brag on my kids. And that was just the best part of my day when I was in the classroom like bragging on my kids was my favorite thing to do. So if I had anything positive, I would absolutely share it.

Kris  9:41  

For sure. I love that in having that unique connection to all those family members. The student day like when we think about what students do when they go home. What they’ll tell parents is like we had reading and math we had you know Fiat and recess and stuff like that do

Kris  10:01  

there’s so many that are like, well, I did a great job walking in the hallway, and I got, you know, this, this totally terrific tech ticket or whatever it is. So these moments that are outside of, of learning and having that opportunity to share that with family members, I think is just one step towards helping to create a stronger, more positive relationship moving forward. I love it. So part of our podcast, the learning of podcast is to have a question called throwing you for a loop. This is a question that’s just a little bit off brand and a little bit silly. But I just want to hear your take on this question specifically, which would you find more amusing watching a cat Chase its tail and a never ending loop? Or watching a dog try to cast its own reflection in a mirror?

 Tiffany 10:55

And think the dog trying to catch their reflection in the mirror?

Kris  10:59  

Absolutely. And why would you choose that over the cat?

Tiffany  11:04  

Um, okay, I don’t mean this rude. But I think dogs are stupid. And so it wouldn’t stop. Whereas the cat would like eventually, like, I’m tired, I’m gonna lay down. But I think dogs like they would come up with new and inventive ways to try to catch themselves in the mirror and get dumber and dumber. So it’s never stopped being entertaining.

Kris  11:25  

Absolutely. I love it.

Tiffany  11:27  

That’s awesome. Because I have a dog too. But that’s kind of like your she’s not that smart. That’s okay.

Kris  11:33  

I would probably tend to agree with you. Not only for that fact. But also because with the mirror, you can see much more than just what’s happening, you can see from a dog’s perspective, from your perspective and from everywhere else, and kind of get a moment to jump into their world for a little bit versus just chasing its tail. So one final question for you tip or trick. And this is going to be something that just something maybe we can pass on to some people, if you’re listening here, this is your moment to really take something away and actionable piece that you can put into place, potentially immediately. What is one piece of advice that you Tiffany would share with our guests listening to strengthen the relationship between their families, and the staff at school was just one thing that they could start with, that’s just going to kick their year off with a positive relationship.

Tiffany 12:27  

Learn the kids names immediately, as quick as you can say them three times every single time you call on them. remember their names. And when you recognize the parent, tell them use their kid’s name when you complement them. And never ever let the first things out of your mouth be negative with parents, parents, honestly, they, they want to do the best they can for their kids, whatever that looks like whatever they think that looks like they want to do the best they can for their kids. And the more you you brag on their kid, the more positive you are with their kid, the better you’re going to, the better they’re going to support you I

Kris  13:07  

love that I love your your framing around, building that in a positive way and around making sure that the complements are going to go much further than potentially retraction. And if you can build up that Bank of compliments and help to have that be your bridge to that relationship. You know, if there is potentially a retraction down the road, you already have that strong positive relationship that you have. And so super powerful, great advice. And I totally agree with you and getting to know students names. That is that just goes so much further for every student to hear their own name. And to make sure that you as a teacher are emphasizing that every single day.

Tiffany 13:49  

I read somewhere that when you hear your name, it releases endorphins. And so then you have a positive like a psychological connection with that person who says your name. And then I also it’s always the quiet kids, you learn their name the last, it’s always the troublemakers you learn their name first. Don’t let that be the case in your class, because the quiet ones will support you 100% And the troublemakers are always going to push your buttons. So get the ones who support you on your side and learn their names.

Kris  14:17  

Amazing, amazing spoken as a long term teacher and somebody who’s definitely a veteran in this field. I love that. Tiffany I just want to say thank you as we close up here today amazing to talk with you amazing insight into just how to really build strong family connections in your schools. I so appreciate you taking your time today. I hope everybody who listens is going to pull a few things away from this. Thank you everybody so much for watching.

Tiffany

Thank you