In this blog post, we’re discussing the teacher interview process, specifically how to answer questions about how you will communicate with parents and involve them in the classroom. One common interview question you may encounter is: “How do you plan to reach out to parents or involve them in the classroom?” If you're new to teaching, you might think, “I'll call home,” or simply, “I don't know.” To help you craft a strong response, here are some key strategies to effectively address this question.
1. Utilize Google Classroom or a Teacher Website
Most schools use Google Classroom or a similar online platform for communication. You can mention that you plan to keep your Google Classroom up to date with important information for parents and students, ensuring that assignments and syllabi remain current. Many parents rely on this tool, but acknowledging that not all families have access to the internet is also important.
To accommodate all families, you might add: “I understand that not all parents have internet access, so I will also send home printed copies of important information and announcements to ensure everyone is informed.” This demonstrates your awareness of diverse family circumstances and your commitment to equitable communication.
2. Provide Information in Multiple Formats and Languages
Another key point is ensuring that all communication is accessible to non-English-speaking families. You can say, “I will provide communications in both English and the home language of my students to ensure parents are fully informed about their child’s progress.” This highlights your dedication to inclusivity and parent engagement.
3. Communicate Positive News, Not Just Concerns
Many times, parents only hear from teachers when there is a problem. A great way to stand out in your interview is to emphasize your commitment to positive communication. You can say, “I will make it a priority to reach out with positive phone calls or messages when students do something exceptional.” Sharing an example of when a parent appreciated a positive call can reinforce this point.
4. Emphasize Parent-Teacher and Student-Led Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are critical, but student-led conferences can also be beneficial. You might say, “I believe in empowering students to present their work to their parents during conferences, helping families engage with their child's learning in a meaningful way.” If you are a special education teacher, you can also mention your commitment to thorough and informative IEP meetings.
5. Establish Professional Email Communication Guidelines
Managing email communication effectively is essential. In your interview, you can say, “I will acknowledge parent emails promptly, even if I don’t have an immediate answer, by responding with: ‘Thank you for reaching out. I am working on your request and will get back to you within 24 hours.’” This reassures parents while maintaining professional boundaries.
A helpful tip (not necessarily for your interview) is to set up an autoresponder for weekends. While you wouldn’t mention this in an interview, you can set an out-of-office message that says, “Thank you for reaching out. I will respond by the end of the day Monday.” This helps manage expectations while maintaining work-life balance.
By incorporating these strategies, you can confidently answer interview questions about parent communication while demonstrating your professionalism and awareness of diverse family needs. If you're looking for more guidance, my book, Teach: A Survival Guide for New Educators, and online course, Teach: A Survival Course for New Educators cover these topics in depth, along with our Teacher Interview Course, which provides step-by-step coaching for acing your interview.
