My Path to Inspiration and Inquiry

Hi Claire I was able to revive this long lost Parent Engagement Post! I found it tucked in a mysterious page even though it was indicated as published, I thought I lost it completely! The post is a bit dated prior to the holidays documenting my experience with family engagement! This is just perfect timing in retrieving this post because this Thrusday,  March 10th, Creekside will host its open house from 6pm to 8pm. Kal has invited me to attend, and I will be there meeting all the families that will be coming. I think it will be a good chance to meet and interact with families rather than just the simple smiles, nods and “Good mornings” I have doing at the door! I am looking forward to this Thursday, March 10. There will also be having a teacher dinner that evening after the open house , and I think it will be another good opportunity to meet other teaching staff!

I had the opportunity to participate in my Kindergarten’s parent interview session on December 15, 2015. Ever since the visit in December, I have been asking around for advices whenever appropriate in regards to my experience. The reason I came on my own time in addition to our regular Thursday visits for the day was because I want to see how parent interviews are conducted and how my SA would discuss a student’s progress with their parents. It definitely was an eye opening.

Every parent interview was conducted in another language: later I  found out Punjabi to be specific. It got me wondering, how do I initiate parent engagement to parents who doesn’t speak English as I cannot speak Punjabi? I have been ensuring a welcoming atmosphere by greeting parents and providing assistance at drop off, pick up time, field trips with parent drivers, class parties, etc..

I have since been talking to other educators (other classroom teacher, professors…etc.) whenever I have a chance to ask what I should do in this occasion.

There are a range of suggestions and advices I received from various educators:

• Your responsibility is not to learn every single possible language your student’s family speaks
• You should attempt to learn the dominant language of your school population
• Some culture my expect a different teacher-parent relationship they what we imagine. They may view the teacher as powerful role, and not easily approachable! They may feel if the teacher doesn’t talk to me, that means it’s a good positive thing! (In this case, I want to break down the barrier at a pace of the families comfort,  to let them know I am easily approachable in assisting with their child’s learning)
• Communication is a “2-way” street, the families should also “do their share”. There is only so much you can do.
• Use a multicultural support worker
• Ask the family to bring in another person who speaks English
• Don’t translate in writings: don’t assume all speakers of the language can read and write.
• Chatting with Dr. Shelley Hymel: Parent Engagement for non-English speaking families is an ongoing-researched topics. It is especially relevant to the SEL needs of the student and the families who are coming from Syria in the coming time. Shelley said there is research team she is currently putting together, and that I will be informed and can be involved outside my class time.