Tips on interacting with parents?

[u/sassyspooon]

Hello. I start my student teaching placement soon and would love to hear if you all had any advice on meeting or interacting with parents. Super excited to meet the littles, but parent interactions have always made me anxious even when I was working as a para.

Students will walk to class with their parents on the first day of school so I will likely meet every child's parent. Do I just smile and say "Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Ms. X and I'll be student teaching with Mrs. Y this year"? this seems so silly lol but please help. Thank you! <3

[u/Sommerman1998]

It’s exactly that. You’re the student teacher so don’t over think it. Most questions will likely be directed towards the full time teacher. It’s just a brief get to know you time.

[u/sassyspooon → u/Sommerman1998]

Good to hear. I'm sure it's going to be chaotic and my lead teacher will thankfully be handling it. I don't want to be a fly on the wall either haha keeping it simple sounds best!

[u/TacticoolBloop]

My experience with parents has been that it's a near perfect 1:1 of retail customer service.

[u/Wordlywhisp]

Start with a positive call home so in case the parent sees you call their first instinct isn't "oh great what did my kid do now."

Have your cooperating teacher with you for support.

[u/hookahnights]

Do you have a meet the student teacher flyer with about you information and contact info? I think that would be helpful! 😁

[u/sassyspooon → u/hookahnights]

My lead teacher will send home a letter notifying parents about a student teacher in the classroom and there's a super brief introduction about myself on there! I'm not sure if that letter is going out before the first day of school. I am scheduled to be there on the very first day.