Communicating with Parents and Connections

One of the most helpful things I’ve learned during student teaching is how important it is to keep parents in the loop. When parents feel connected, it makes a big difference in how supported students feel.

In our classroom, we use Seesaw, and it has been such a game-changer. I can send reminders ahead of time, like “Don’t forget library books tomorrow!” or “Picture day is tomorrow.” It’s so easy to schedule them so they go out right when parents need them.

I also love that we can share pictures and videos throughout the day. Parents get to see what their kids are learning and doing, and it opens up great conversations at home. If a parent has a question, they can message right in the app and we can reply quickly, eliminating back-and-forth emails.

We also do “Student of the Week,” which is such a fun way to connect with families. We highlight one student each week and share a little about what they did well or how they helped our classroom community. Sending this home helps parents see that we notice their child’s effort and growth, and the kids love being recognized.

Besides Seesaw and Student of the Week, weekly updates are a nice way to keep everyone on the same page. A short message about what we learned this week and what’s coming next helps families feel connected. I’ve also noticed parents really appreciate when we share tips for how they can help at home.

Recently, we had a K-2 after-school event and it seemed that the parents and students all loved getting to see their teachers there with them partaking in the event. I believe that is a great way to connect with both the students and families.