Parent Engagement...Matthew (matt) Key, Georgia

Researchers feel that when teachers begin relationships with families, the partnerships that are formed are associated with the well-being of the student. There has generally a wide gap between high income and low-income families, schools and educators must recognize that families involved are not always the ones that do work at the schools.   All parents want success for the child, but not all have the luxury of time and flexibility.

I have read that schools across the country are increasingly encouraging family-school partnerships; and integrating family engagement into educator evaluation systems. Some are being encouraged to change the way they say things in schools.  Making simple changes in the language makes a difference.  It would be great to use parent engagement as everyday language.

Many works reflect on the ways schools typically partner with families. Are we creating opportunities for family involvement or do we get families through strategies that affect student learning, like modeling of learning support strategies, and positive phone calls? When demographics shift, are we schools shifting best practices for meaningful family engagement?

Matthew (Matt) Key, Georgia

Blending Learning...Matthew (Matt) Key, Georgia

To get students prepared for life after their school years, teachers need to begin to think about how we can help with their years once they are gone.  Teachers need to think about ways to blend their learning.  The use of technology and face to face interaction with their students is the best way to do so.  This is called blended learning and it will help with retention.  Students will communicate more and that will get them into the mindset of working well once they leave the confines of the school walls.

The first thing to do is to design the curriculum that incorporates these two different types of methods.  Figuring out which parts of the curriculum to use technology and which are face to face is crucial.  Think about ways to use technology in group projects and other types of learning in your lessons.  Set goals for your class and then begin to track progress.  Think of ways to get the students involved in the work and how your assessment methods.  By doing this, it will help you determine the types of lessons to be done by technology or face to face.

In order for all this to work you need to really focus on the resources.  Try to use laptops available and the materials needed for the class and lessons.  Consider the funds needed to make it work for your needs.  Use online resources to offer change in your lessons.  Using videos and games will create excitement among the students and is a great way to help with retention.  Use ways for the students to create and work with blogs. 

The best thing to do is think about change and what will help achieve success in the classroom. 

Matthew (Matt) Key, Georgia

Relationships at the beginning...Matthew (Matt) Key, Georgia

During the first weeks of school I was always able to witness the beginning development of relationships established with students and parents as their children were dropped off at school. You could see the child’s face light up when they knew that the principal was there to greet them every morning as they got out of their car. Also, I got to sit in on a Parent's Club Meeting with the administration to see how they go about conducting the meeting. At the beginning of the meeting the principal discussed how well the year had started and how proud he was to be back at such a great school. He then proceeded to discuss policies and procedures of the school and he let the parents in attendance know the state of the school. At the end of his talk, he also told the parents that he was there for them and then his main focus was to help out in any way he could to see their child succeed. This helped me gain greater understanding of the value of communication between the administration and the various stakeholders of the school.

My perceptions of the school have not changed, they have been validated. Seeing the time that the administration puts into making sure that everyone feels like they are a part and that they can come to a school were learning takes place and there will be success; proved the importance of great communication that is needed by an administrator.

The one leadership strategy that I observed was transformational. I took great notice in the importance that the administration put into making sure that the communication lines were open and that the stakeholders dealt with on a daily basis felt that they were cared for.

Matthew (Matt) Key, Georgia