I am back from my Stand Tall Summer Tour, and boy are my arms tired! You know I can’t let a Dad joke pass me by.  Fresh off the last stop on the Stand Tall Summer Tour 2024 and eighteen speaking locations later, here I am.  My next stop in the fall is a self-care weekend in the Poconos to reset and refresh. I know the fresh air and the autumn scenes are just what I need to re-energize.  Make sure you take some time for yourself! 

We are starting this conversation knowing we may not have all the answers but it is an important conversation to have, especially when it comes to climate and culture. Parents, families, and grownups are a major component of your climate and culture from the classroom, building, and the whole district.  Building these critical relationships needs to be purposeful and intentional.  Leaving it to chance is too risky. 

It’s no secret that schools with parent involvement thrive. I urge you to go beyond the comfortable technology communication settings. Of course, there are situations where you NEED to communicate through email for documentation.  However, building connections with grownups and families should be purposeful and personal. Let’s rebuild the positive perceptions and leave aggressive or hostile interactions behind us.    

Back to School Night Tips for Success

Whether you enjoy or dread Back to School Night, make the best first impression.  Regardless, the younger elementary levels usually have a packed house.  But at the middle and high school levels, you hold the key to the first opportunity for them to meet you and visit your classroom.  Give them a reason to want to attend! Try one of these: 

• Start an engaging story with the students and promise to share the ending with their families during the Open House.
• Stand in the hallway! Shake hands, smile, and guide them inside your room.
• Give them a handout or something in print. Make sure your contact information is clear. 
• Have a sign-in sheet! You will have a go-to list of parents who want to be involved. 
• Practice, practice, practice! Like all speaking engagements, practice what you want to say, how you will say it, and how long it will take.  
• Scavenger Hunts will bring attention to the features of the school you want parents to see! Host a drawing or give away prizes, school swag, snacks, or books!

Creating the Environment for Parent Involvement

1. Communication: Communicate all the great things happening in your school in a positive and friendly way.  Send home a monthly newsletter with a personal note to show you are a real person! They will feel more comfortable knowing more about the people caring for their children, which will make you more approachable. Include a staff spotlight. Be cautious with social media. 
   
   This goes for the classroom levels, too! If you send home a classroom newsletter, make sure it is on bright-colored paper. Add topic bullets or bold critical key points you wish to communicate.  Talk about what the students will be learning. Add photos of your students; parents LOVE to see pictures of their kids.  
   
   
2. Internal Branding: From new teachers to seasoned staff members, this next tip can be a game changer for communication with families.  For any papers you create, letters you send home, homework, class trip information, everything and anything- you should put your name and contact information in the header or footer of that document. 
   
   
3. Invite Them! Gang, if you want to increase parent involvement, you have to invite them in! The first step to building connections and relationships begins with an invitation.  Allow both families and staff to see their human sides with an in-class visit or virtually.  Be sure to feature them on your school website or social media. Consider these events:  

• Mystery Reader
• Career Day
• Traditions 
• Cultural Day
• Research Projects
• Science Fair
• Service Learning
• Community Day
  
  

4. Marketing: When these community members do come in, brag about it! Include your local press to come and capture these moments with news stories and photos.  If they cannot come in, write the article for them. Better yet, have the students write the press releases. I will most likely be published as a human interest story.  All local newspapers and news outlets have their contact information on their websites.  Once you establish those points of contact, save them in a separate document. This way, their information will be easy to access for your next event. 

5. Connecting with ALL Parents: There may come a point in time when you need to speak with parents about tough topics. Whether it is behavior issues or academic concerns, some parents cannot be involved or choose not to. Find something good to write a positive note home.  Be sure to include, “Please contact me to discuss this growth.” When they do reach out, tell them the details and say, “I could use your help with…” Set a time to invite them in for a conference.  You get further with honey than vinegar! 

 Respect and Value

Back to School Night, PTO meetings, concerts, and Education Foundation meetings bring a captive audience to your school.  Administrators, do not let this beautiful opportunity to share what your school respects and values.  Share those crucial words that were selected and make a logo.  What you respect and value needs to be reinforced as part of your climate and culture. Again, again, and again, and AGAIN!  Yes, you are including the respect and value words throughout the day and every flyer home, but families need to hear it from YOU. 

 Talk about your best parenting ideas together! Parent involvement is a hot topic right now.  The key is making connections intentional and purposeful. Share your favorite way to increase parent involvement at your school in the comments below!

  
Tina Dietrich and I are thrilled to announce the release of our latest book, 10-Minute Classroom Openers: Brief Daily Activities to Support Classroom Relationships & a Positive Learning Climate. This groundbreaking book is set to revolutionize classroom dynamics, offering educators a treasure trove of quick, effective activities to foster relationships and create a positive climate, culture, and atmosphere for learning.  

10-Minute Classroom Openers: Brief Daily Activities to Support Classroom Relationships & a Positive Learning Climate is a must-have resource for teachers, whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting your teaching journey. This book is a game-changer, offering a collection of quick, engaging activities designed to kickstart each day with a burst of positivity and connection.  Everyone in education can benefit from this resource for their Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs. Order yours today!

Within Our Ranks

November 1-3, 2024

San Antonio, Texas

Only a few spots remain!

So, the school year has started.  Did you survive terrible professional development?  While you are sitting through boring trainings, lecture-like keynote speakers, and just mediocre PD sessions, if you find yourself tuning out and thinking:

• I could do this.
• I could do this better.
• How much money is this person getting paid?
• This is a waste of my time. Can I get back to my classroom already?

 This an exclusive opportunity that you will want to take advantage of. It's called Within Our Ranks, and it's your ticket to making a real difference in the world of education. It's more than just a program; it's a transformative experience for educators who aspire to be professional speakers and make their voices heard.

 Here's the deal: "Within Our Ranks" is an intensive training program that equips educators (with at least ten years of K-12 experience) with the skills and knowledge they need to step into the world of professional speaking, training, and consulting. It's a chance to unlock your full potential and share your insights around the globe.

 Think about it for a moment. Have you ever felt like you have a message that could change the lives of educators or students? Do you dream of inspiring others, but you need help figuring out where to start? "Within Our Ranks" is your golden opportunity to turn your dreams into reality.

 This program isn't just theoretical; it's hands-on and practical. The Within Our Ranks Team will provide the tools, strategies, and insights you need to become a confident and impactful educational speaker. Even better, you'll join a community of like-minded educators who share your passion for making a difference. It's a year-long journey that covers a wide range of topics, from crafting powerful messages to marketing yourself as a speaker and everything in between. It's not just about speaking; it's about creating lasting change in the education field.

 Within Our Ranks is hosting a summit in November in San Antonio. It's the perfect opportunity to dip your toes in and see what the program is all about. This summit is a chance for you to connect with Steven Bollar and other educators who are ready to make a change.

 Space is limited for the summit because this differs from your typical, overcrowded conference. Within Our Ranks focuses on quality over quantity. I want to give every attendee personalized attention to ensure you get the most out of the experience. So, if you're serious about making a change, don't wait. Head to withinourranks.com for more information. Join us for this incredible event and take the first step toward becoming a professional educational speaker. Your journey to impact and influence starts here.