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Provide one or two examples of new ways you might include parents by allowing them to use their skill sets.
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I work at a cooperative school where paretns are required to help out with clean up days or with other things around the school. I think the instructor brought up a great point that as educators we should learn about each parent and their special skills and talents. Fidning ways to use those skills and talents will help the parents feel honored and excited about helping out in their child’s school becasue they will feel useful in a meaningful way.
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As a counselor and disciplinarian at my school, it is important to include parents in on every part of the process. Working with parents when children start to show a behavior gives power to parents to guide their children effectively with all the information they need to disciple their children.
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I want to find out what occupations they have. We may be able to incorporate that into some of our discussions so that the students can have actual applicable learning outside of the classroom/textbook. For example, I know of a mom that works in respiratory therapy… so when we go through the respiratory system (if she is able) I would love for her to give us a perspective from a respiratory therapist.
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Some parents love to help “behind the scenes” so many parents in elementary want to cut paper or craft items we use in learning. Some parents love to come and teach about a subject they understand well and can be shared with the students in a specific learning unit. After school clubs can be a way for parents to use their skill sets to teach the students extracurricular activities that will enrich their lives.
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Ways I can include parents by allowing them to use their skillset are: have them grade papers, paint the classroom, come and talk about their heritage, ask a parent to help me when proofreading writing assignments, etc. Our school requires parents to do 20 HIS hours a year to reduce tuition costs so I find all kinds of ways for parents to meet that requirement.