Evidence 10.1 Parent and Colleagues Communication

Regular Communication, Disciplinary Issues, Academic Issues and Passing Along Praise

 

The parent and colleagues section of my reflective paper on communication emphasizes that using e-mail communication to parents on an as needed basis, can involve many issues. Issues that once may have been saved for only parent-teacher conferences may now be communicated on a more-timely basis; from telling a parent about a student's negative behavior, to sending along a homework assignment, to sending along praise for academics or behavior.

 

Electronic assignment calendars and electronic grade books are an important source of academic information for parents and teachers to communicate on a daily and a quarterly basis. Schools now have software that I will plan to update as soon as physically possible, because the information must be available in timely manner to be effective for parents, students and administration.

 

My plan is to use an electronic calendar that is updated daily to communicate assignments and homework. Students, parents and administrators can now view their teachers' calendars in order to see assignments for classes they might have missed, or to get an overview of the class.

 

Evidence 10.2 A Journal of Practicum Experiences/ Minority Group Relations

My personal experience with minority students  is based on numerous substitute teaching assignments. My experience includes working with all grade levels. In documenting for this Journal, I learned that a student's perspective definitely changes when dealing with race. The Hispanic student I assessed demonstrated the stereotypical traits that he felt those around him expected. I felt it was a reflection on just how far we haven't come as a society when dealing with minorities.

 

However, the opportunity to analyze a specific student will help in all aspects of communication when dealing with parents and administration. Similar to my further understanding the American Indian in Wisconsin, I learned that keeping up with current news and cultural events would increase my understanding and allow me to keep an open mind; resulting in being a much better teacher