Ep 09 - Guest Expert: Susan Swensen, Veteran Teacher, How Parents & Teachers Can Work Together This Fall

Cast:
Dr. Tara Egan
Anna, teenage co-host
Susan Swensen, elementary school teacher

How can parents and teachers work together this fall as students head back to school in a world impacted by COVID-19?

Susan shares what teachers experienced when the world shut down in March 2020. So.many.long.hours. So much communication with parents, to the detriment of academics.

The goal is to transition out of crisis mode.

Susan reminds us that students act differently at school, and Tara notes that many parents and children have experienced stress in their relationship as a result of virtual schooling in the spring.

They discuss using the term "homeschooling" in lieu of "virtual learning," only one of which acknowledges the role of the teacher.

Anna recalls the surreal experience of hearing the news that school was closed and initially thinking it would only last a couple of weeks. She shares that her experience with virtual learning varied greatly, depending on both the teacher and the nature of the class.

Susan noted that it can be very intimidating for many teachers to know that parents are listening to their lessons in the background, as many teachers prefer interacting with kids versus adults.

Anna admits that kids will often use their cell phones off-camera, to Tara's horror. Some of the sneaky tactics students use to (falsely) appear attentive were discussed.

For some teachers, the learning curve for teaching with technology is steep. Educators miss using manipulatives, physical cues, and affectionate greetings in the classroom setting. The extent to which social-emotional learning is impacted has yet to be determined.

Teachers are worried about healthy and safety, as classrooms are small and policies are ever-changing. And what will happen if teachers or kids become ill?

How can parents best communicate with teachers in the fall? Susan advocates reaching out to the teacher in a proactive way via phone or email. Also, parents should use the communication apps endorsed by the teacher (such as Remind or Class Dojo). If your child has an IEP or a special need, please advocate for your child by sharing your concerns with their teacher right away. She encourages parents to be patient with how quickly teachers respond to emails, as teachers get MANY emails each day, and there is a protocol that they must follow when it comes to replying to parents and documenting contact from parents. Let the teacher know if you have a particular communication need, as they will do their best to accommodate your schedule or needs in order to have fluid communication.

Susan notes that a parent's experience with school as a child can have an impact on their child's view of school and significantly impact on their motivation and performance. Have a positive mindset and create an environment that's conducive to learning.

This episode is sponsored by Eaton Press. Eaton Press provides writing coaching, editing, and publishing services to help business professionals write, publish, and market their books as a tool to grow their business. Make your book happen.

Susan Swensen, our guest expert, is the host of Shared Teaching.

To learn more about Dr. Tara Egan, please visit her website.