Week 5

    This week's reading allowed me to be thankful for the school environment I work in and for the school environment my children are currently experiencing. I could not agree more with the AMLE book. A positive environment throughout the school and classroom is so important for a student's health and well-being. I think that if a child feels comfortable in the school he/she attends, then they can do well academically. They can talk with their teacher if they are having trouble and not feel uncomfortable or fearful. They will know their teacher cares enough to help them through any challenge they are experiencing. Where I teach, the principal and teachers are always present inside and outside of their classrooms. They get to know the students inside and outside of the classroom. They attend after school activities and sporting events. They address parents by their names and they acknowledge past alumni and siblings. This makes everyone a "family" at school. My daughters are experiencing this same thing too. I love knowing the teachers and having them know me by name. I love how they remember my children and ask how they are doing, even if they have not taught my children in a few years. This makes my children feel good. 

    I think that counselors are so important. Children are experiencing so many different things than we even experienced as kids. It is important for children to have someone care for them, listen to them, and offer support in a calm environment. They may not have that same support at home. A good counselor can work with the teacher and help provide strategies to help the child succeed in the classroom. The teacher can then help set proper goals and offer activities and lessons to help the child grow and achieve those goals. My older daughter needed help to better socialize with other students in her class. The school's counselor helped her and other kids in her group learn how to strengthen their social skills so they could interact with others in a better way.

    I believe that teachers and parents need to be on the same page for the child's learning. I am grateful to my daughters' teachers who reach out through email, phone, or apps like Edmodo and Seesaw to communicate. Weekly newsletters written by the school principal and teachers are a great way to know what is going on at school. I know that communication can be difficult at times and when you have so many different forms to work with. It is so important to know what parent needs what form of communication. I think that knowing if there are two parents who each need communication, that that need is addressed as well. Asking parents what form they prefer may be a good idea. Also, letting parents know which form you will be using from day 1 may also be a good idea. You can do this with a welcome to your class newsletter at the beginning of the year.