Principles of building strong partnerships by EUN Partnership aisbl

Mihaela, Romania

emikkaela — 2023-05-30 09:54:09 UTC

I think I respect the presented principles of teacher-parent-child collaboration, as much as I can.
I have discovered that, without knowing some of them, from an academic source, I had already applied them empirically or out of common sense.
What I could work on though, is giving advice. I sometimes have parents in denial, in front of me, or parents who decide upon educational measures/plans which exceed the child's intellectual possibilities. I try to support them, but in the past I also told them what I honestly thought would have been more beneficial. Perhaps I shouldn't have.

Simona A. (Italy)

simonaappignanesi1 — 2023-05-30 13:15:06 UTC

In my school all class teachers get involved in the family school relationship with students with special educational needs. Three times in the school year, October, January, May, a meeting is organized between parents, support teachers, class teachers and external specialist who follows the student. At the beginning of the year to plan together the school curriculum (October), to check the progress of the initial project (January) and the final assessment of the skills achieved (May). Moreover, since there is a support teacher in the class, the family school contact is always assured.

Georgia, Greece

2023-05-30 15:16:59 UTC

As I have already said, I teach to 370 students in a week. It's impossible to get in touch with parents myself, but I regularly get feedback and updates from the classroom teacher or/and the special education teacher.

Nikolina, Croatia

ninasmrecki — 2023-05-31 15:15:03 UTC

In working with parents, I respect mostly all principles. Although I have child's best interest in mind, sometimes I give too many advice. I should focus more on active listening and hearing to what parents tell me. Also, I should focus on the positive aspects of family dynamics and use it to improve partnership.

Katerina Dimou, Greece

katerina4dimou — 2023-05-31 18:23:08 UTC

Collaboration with parents is already present in my work, although it can become more effective and more frequent. What I should focus on is the identification of the child's needs and the alignment with the family's culture. However, I face a lot of cases, where the parents behaviour towards their children is not correct, either they are overprotecting or indifferent which makes my approach quite difficult.

Dorina, Romania

dorina_sv — 2023-05-31 21:41:06 UTC

Efficient communication, collaboration and cooperation are parts of my strategy for dealing with SEN students' parents (I'm working in a school centre of inclusive education). Satisfying the needs of the children is my priority, but that means their parents also are - they are the first teachers responsible for their children's behaviour and attitude; the parents are the greatest influencers. I have learned to listen to them, show empathy, always let them know that I am on their side, and understand their challenges. The parents have become open and cooperative. They participate in extracurricular activities, do volunteer activities, engage in organized trips or hikes, and they are able to see the good parts rather than the frustrating deficiencies of their children.

Vesna Hristova

2023-06-01 10:59:54 UTC

I am a social worker in kindergarden in North Macedonia.

In my work, I have daily and continuous cooperation with parents that is open, honest and professional.
I have an open day for parents 2 times a week - in which parents come for counseling about a certain problem or situation.
In the future, I would like to have more knowledge about people with disabilities - I would achieve this through training so that I can give more advice to parents who have a child with special needs.

Cira Serio (Italy)

2023-06-01 19:52:43 UTC

Our parents are a great asset to our school

Principles of building strong partnerships

2023-06-02 11:44:44 UTC

In my work, I try to respect all this principles, but the most this one: the needs are central in the collaboration, not the label. I could focus more on knowledge that parents have about their child. Maybe I should give more attention to their goals.

Simona J, Romania

jercalausimona — 2023-06-02 20:10:54 UTC

All the principles are present in my work, the collaboration of the parents, their involvement in order to better understand the situation and to be able to personalize the inclusion. I would like to pay more attention to the principle The needs in collaboration, not the label, listening carefully to find out the family's priorities and needs.

Simona G, Romania

simonageo18 — 2023-06-03 07:54:56 UTC

I try to respect all principles in my daily work, but sometimes I tend to give too much advice. I have to pay more attention to active listening and to positive aspects of family dinamics, that means that I have to pay more attention to the needs in collaboration in order to improve the partnership.

Alenka, Croatia

2023-06-04 11:36:37 UTC

In my school we all try to respect all principles, but I think that sometimes we tend to give advice rather than respect parents' wish, but this happens in cases when parents have great expectations or when they don't know how to cope with the situation. I also think that the collaboration between teachers and pedagogical workers could be better regulated.

Vasiliki Dogani, Greece

2023-06-04 16:16:22 UTC

I collaborate with parents. I explain to them the problem and make them to decide what to do. I really think that parents have a great impact in our teaching.

Luminița Dulgheru from Romania

2023-06-05 19:24:33 UTC

In my work i try to colaborate with parents ,because this îs the most important way to succes .

Jasna, Croatia

jasna_sviben1 — 2023-06-05 20:13:08 UTC

I work in secondary school where we have little to none contact with parents. We mostly communicate through school psychologist and get the list of outside of school professionals who recommend methods or in teachers' meetings psychologist will say: Mum says ... and we, teachers see a child through different eyes, but usually hesitanly follow parent's wishes. In my classes, since I'm foreign language teacher through different topics I try to find out about child's background, family, habits and I guess that's the principle already incorporated in my work.

Chaspari

sofixaspar — 2023-06-05 21:36:54 UTC

I want to be a better listener of what parents have to say about their children.

Mihaela Paduraru Comanoiu - Romania

padurarumihaela2012 — 2023-06-06 12:52:00 UTC

I think the most important thing is to show, with diplomacy, both the child and his parents, that they are important for us and the educational process. Even if some of us just play with them and take them on our way! And we ourselves have to adapt along the way, because each child is an individuality and what we knew from previous experiences cannot be applied to everyone...

If we can look at things this way and be "good airships", but adapt ourselves, we will surely find a way to solve the problems of each child...

Romina Marchesani, Italy

rominamarchesani2 — 2023-06-06 13:08:22 UTC

I always try to celebrate my students’ successes and share positive observations with parents throughout the year, not just during conferences. By doing so, I try to send the message that I care about my students. Additionally, I am also developing a positive rapport that will be useful if should any behavioral or learning issues arise.

Cultivating strong parent-teacher relationships is worth the investment and doesn’t have to take up excessive time.

Sandra Carvalho - Portugal

2023-06-06 15:34:57 UTC

I always try to see the positives and the sucesses of the students and encourage them that way, also I always share with parents whenever the children progress or try something new. In my prespective it's a way of showing both parents and students, that I care and follow them close.

Irene Confalone-Italy

confalone — 2023-06-07 16:43:44 UTC

I collaborate a lot with parents. I explain to them the problem and make them decide what to do. I think that parents have a great impact on our teaching and the results and success of the class.

Maria, Romania I always try to collaborate with the family and understand perspective of the parents. We make decisions together. I need to learn to support rather than advise them.

2023-06-07 18:08:59 UTC

Isabelle, France

2023-06-07 22:14:51 UTC

I don't know if I can say I used to involve parents in the process of education. I think I'd rather used to advise parents about education provided at school as if it was the best they can give to their child, without thinking of what they already do at home. Since I started to work with foreign pupils, I became particularly aware of the fact the needs are central and not the label and that it works for parents, but also for all the people working together for the pupil's sake. I also realised that this fundamental positive view on children, parents and teachers, which I think I've ever had, is not natural for every teacher and what difference it makes for pupils to work with such a teacher rather than another with a negative approach.

Dhoha Baccar , Tunisia

dhobactri — 2023-06-08 21:02:37 UTC

I personally ask pupils in a kind of survey to inform me if they have any learning problem then I discuss it privately with the pupil before discuss it with the parents . If I discover that they don't have a clear idea about their child's problem , I try to draw their attention and ask them to see a specialist and I let them know how interested I am in helping their child to overcome the difficulty .

Debora -Kenya

2023-06-09 19:49:05 UTC

In the school I work in, regular meetings are held where parents and teachers come together to discuss the progress, challenges, and goals of the students. These meetings provide an opportunity for open dialogue and collaboration.

I think an area of improvement would be teachers in collaboration with the administration to organize workshops and training sessions for parents on various educational topics. These programs can provide insights into teaching methodologies, effective study habits, and ways to support their child's learning at home. By empowering parents with knowledge and skills, they can actively contribute to their child's academic success.

Debora-Kenya

deborangina — 2023-06-10 10:21:27 UTC

Corina, Romania

2023-06-12 11:43:57 UTC

Collaboration and communication between the teacher and parents is essential to better know and understand the student's needs.
We hold these parent support meetings face to face or online.

Marzia Luzzini, Italy

marzialuzz — 2023-06-14 09:26:15 UTC

In my work I try to be an observer and a listener, first of all.
I try to collaborate with parents : not telling them only the critical point but starting form the positive ones

Igor CROATIA

igor_nikicic — 2023-06-19 09:24:03 UTC

5 Principles of building strong partnerships
1. Trust
2. Respect
3. Honesty
4. Patience
5. Focus on the child

Ana, Croatia

2023-06-20 16:44:38 UTC

In my work, I always try to be honest, solution-oriented, and positive. I think that with these qualities I can greatly contribute to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for students, parents, as well as colleagues teachers.
I think that sometimes I have to adjust my expectations towards parents, since they are not professionals or teachers.

Adriana Butnariu

abutnari — 2023-06-21 11:39:21 UTC

I highly value these aspects because it is very important to make things clear from the start:
1. Respect
2. Active listening
3. Attention
4. Patience
5. Honesty

Gabriela Elena alexandrescu, Romania

2023-06-21 16:05:52 UTC

In our kindergarten, we set aside one day a week for parent counseling. These meetings are organized with small groups or individuals. The quality of the educational act is directly proportional to the effective collaboration between teachers and parents.

Edita J. Lithuania

2023-06-28 18:56:18 UTC

I don't have personal experiences or a specific practice in collaborating with parents of pupils from kindergarten. However, I can provide you with some principles that are generally considered important for establishing strong collaborations with parents in an educational setting. Based on these principles, I can reflect on how they can be applied and suggest areas for improvement:

Principle present in my work: Open and Transparent Communication

One principle that is inherent in my design and can be applied to collaboration with parents is open and transparent communication. I strive to provide clear and concise information, respond to queries promptly, and offer explanations in a manner that is understandable and accessible. Through this principle, I aim to build trust and ensure that parents have a clear understanding of the information being conveyed.

Principle that could be given more attention: Active Involvement

While open communication is essential, active involvement is another critical principle in collaborating with parents. Active involvement means actively engaging parents in their child's education, seeking their input, and involving them in decision-making processes. This principle fosters a sense of ownership and partnership between parents and educators, leading to better outcomes for the child.

To improve in this area, I can focus on providing specific suggestions on how parents can be actively involved in their child's education. For example, I can encourage parents to participate in school activities, volunteer for events, or provide suggestions for classroom activities. I can also emphasize the importance of parental involvement in educational discussions and decision-making processes, such as parent-teacher meetings or curriculum development.

Furthermore, I can offer guidance on how parents can support their child's learning at home, such as providing resources or suggestions for educational activities that can be done outside of school. By actively promoting and facilitating parental involvement, I can help strengthen the collaboration between parents and educators, ultimately benefiting the child's overall development.

Overall, while open communication is a fundamental aspect of my work, I can pay more attention to promoting active involvement and find ways to encourage parents to take an active role in their child's education.

Dimitra

dkotsiopoulou — 2023-09-06 14:40:31 UTC

In my opinion respect, honestly, patience, kidness are very important words.

Munteanu Ionela. In permanenta tin legatura cu familiile elevilor, avand ore de consiliere in particular.

munteanuionela415 — 2023-10-22 16:39:41 UTC

Khetam Almasadh/ Jordan

almasadh1985 — 2025-11-07 10:57:27 UTC

Reflection on My Practice: Building Strong Parent Partnerships

A principle already present in my work is Active Listening and Validation. In my interactions with parents, I consciously make an effort to truly listen without interrupting and to acknowledge their emotions and perspectives. I often use phrases like, "I understand why that would be concerning," or "Thank you for sharing that with me." I believe this helps in building initial trust and making parents feel respected, which is the first step toward a productive partnership.

A principle I can give more attention to is Proactive and Transparent Communication. While I communicate well when issues arise or during scheduled meetings, I realize I could be more proactive in sharing positive updates and classroom happenings. I often wait for a natural point of contact, but this can sometimes create gaps where parents feel out of the loop, especially if their child has special needs and they are anxious for regular feedback.

How I plan to improve: To address this, I will implement two key strategies. First, I will create a simple system for Structured Positive Updates to send a brief, positive message via email or a school communication app to at least two parents per week, specifically highlighting a child's small victory or positive social interaction. For parents of children with special needs, I will schedule a brief, weekly check-in. Second, I will create a simple, shared digital platform like a class newsletter or a private online board where I can post updates, resources, and glimpses of classroom activities. This provides a continuous window into our learning environment and reduces the feeling of mystery or separation for parents.

By being more proactive, I hope to shift the communication dynamic from being purely problem-centered to being partnership-centered, building a stronger, more positive relationship with all parents.