Positives from My Positive Phone Calls Home by Deana Bray

Taylor Andrews

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 22:40:01 UTC

Oh, making these positive parent phone calls have really made my heart happy! One call that really stood out to me was a mother who could not believe that I was calling to share positive news as she expressed that all she has heard in the past were negative things about her child. She was extremely thankful that I could see the good in her child and was appreciative of me sharing the good with her. We were able to collaborate on what strategies she uses at home and discussed similarities that we were both implementing both at home and in the classroom. I am a firm believer that a strong relationship can go a long way and I have seen the benefits of that from both this parent and student. Additionally, Friday Remind check-ins, monthly class certificates (ex: math award, reading award, and citizenship awards), and personal Remind messages are a few ways that I frequently like to share positive news. One of my favorite moments from this year is when a student got a reading award from me and he was so excited because he could see his hard work paying off and had to go show his first grade teacher. His mom messaged me sharing how excited he was to show it to his family. I went to one of his soccer games and his grandparents even told me how excited he was. I could write a book on positive relationships, but it's important to celebrate the little things!

Brittany Langston

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 22:43:32 UTC

I have gotten to know things about students this year earlier than I normally would have through positive parent phone calls. Sometimes it's just small things like stuff students are enjoying about school or activities, but I have also found out things about home life or health issues.

Sarah Chancey

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 22:44:31 UTC

Making a connection with parents sooner than parent conferences has been a positive from making positive parent phone calls.

Blair Hogg

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 22:45:33 UTC

Positive Parent Contact- I was able to find out about students past education experiences through the phone calls and why they react the way they do to certain subjects, which helps me connect with the student.

Christy Collier

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 22:47:02 UTC

When calling IJ's mom to talk about his progress we also talked about his sister (MJ) and brother (MJ). They are both doing very well in school. She invited me to his sister's quinceanera this weekend. I plan to attend and share this special moment with this precious family.

Carol Montoya

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 22:48:00 UTC

Positive phone calls have helped build relationships with parents that want to connect with us but won't normally reach out. It also helps for when you do have to reach out about unwanted behavior in the classroom.

Tori Kesler

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 22:50:03 UTC

I've had parents tell me on my positive phone calls how much their students are loving school this year. I've had multiple parents tell me that their child is coming home happy and telling them what they did/learned about for the day. Hearing that made my heart SO happy to know that these kiddos are enjoying coming to school and are going home happy and relaying information of what they did/learned for the day. I've had so many parents who are appreciative of me reaching out to them.

Jennifer Martinez

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 22:50:49 UTC

One positive thing I experienced from making the phone calls to students this year is that many of the parents did not know who I was and how I was supporting their child. I was able to introduce myself and explain how I was helping in or out of the classroom. All of the parents were pleased to hear about the extra support their child was receiving. I was even able to answer some questions for the parents about their child and the progress I have seen.

Elizabeth Murphy

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 22:59:58 UTC

I have always called student’s parents on the first day of school. This is a great way of letting the parents know how their precious kiddo made it through the day. I truly believe this is a positive way of starting the year. This year I selected a few students to call on the First Day because I did not know who would be in EIP but the parents are always eager to hear what their child was able to do on the First Day of school.

Kim Tucker

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:03:19 UTC

When I've called parents and mentioned something positive about their child, they seem to appreciate the phone call. A lot of times, they are kinda stumped on why I would be calling them, after I explain the phone call, they thank me.

Roxie Watson

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:06:34 UTC

Something positive I experienced through a phone call to a parent this year involved a call with AW's Mom. She was very assuring and encouraging as she told me about his experience this year while he is with me and Mrs. Burden. She told me about how much he loves his classes and teachers this year. He said that he feels heard and understood. She told me that he really enjoys my class and he says that I dress really nice, too. haha He does really well in math class, so I was able to brag about his performance and how much I enjoyed him being in my homeroom this year. A personal goal for myself, my classroom, and teaching style is to be intentional with my students and build more of a personal relationship with each of them. After hearing from this mom, I was very encouraged to know that this child feels heard and understood in my class.

Regarding Mrs. Burden's class, he has a much stronger passion for reading this year than he has in the past. Beanstack has been such a big motivator that has him into reading more books. He also looks at other students around him during WIN time and will observe what they are reading. Once he gets home, his mom says that he will tell her he wants more challenging books to read, and then he will start to tell her which students in his group are reading more challenging books and he wants to do the same.

Ashley Fitzpatrick

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:08:54 UTC

Phone call positive- During a phone call to CH’s mom I discovered just how much she is struggling emotionally, financially, etc…

I am thankful that Janna took the time to also call her to set up a meeting to help her get resources. During the meeting, I suggested that mom take C to Awanas at Trinity. Next Wednesday I plan to meet her there, have supper with them, and get him registered for Awanas.

Robin Harris

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:10:01 UTC

Parent phone calls are always eye-opening. I've loved hearing how genuinely shocked some parents have been by my calling just to tell them how much I enjoy having their child in class. Some of them aren't quite sure how to respond, but they always thank me for calling with good news. :)

Melissa Kirk

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:11:57 UTC

Positive phone calls-

I love contacting parents with positive news about their students, especially the students whose parents have experienced some not-great news in the past. I have 2 kids in KK this year that I've called to brag on their student and the relief you could nearly physically hear over the phone was incredible. In both cases, the parents were worried I was calling about an issue because there had been so many in the past. When I call to brag or with good news about behavior, they opened up to me much more and became friendly and engaged any time I've talked to them since the phone calls.

Lori Faulkner

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:14:13 UTC

I'm trying to call parents and let them know how I have enjoyed

4-H presentations. Some students are really enjoying presenting this year. I have focused on having students demonstrate to the class something they enjoy doing, and teaching us at the same time. For students who are not always academically successful, this is a boost for them.

Lindsey Byrd

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:16:00 UTC

I truly think this has helped keep lines open on both ends by making positive phone calls to parents. It has helped me to further understand a situation with a student's living conditions, and helped me to be more aware of certain details. I wish I were able to reach my EL parents a little easier. ( When I have called with connection line, they often don't answer.) But we are working on another way to reach them. I have enjoyed talking with parents on positive issues, rather than always negative.

Tristan Phillips

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:17:53 UTC

I've enjoyed hearing about how much students are going home and telling their family members about what we are doing in class. I've had parents tell me their student is telling them they are writing letters the wrong way and teaching them the little songs we use to write numerals. It lets me know students are retaining what we are doing, and it can help start the conversation between student and parent about what we are doing in class.

Julee Beth Moore

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:19:32 UTC

In calling a parent this year to give them positive praise about their child, they thanked me for all I was doing to support their child. It made my week.

Elizabeth Cochran

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:21:17 UTC

When I contacted guardians prior to the first parent conference, I could hear the excitement in the various guardians' voices when I would explain the progress being made in class.

Rhonda Ivester

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:23:23 UTC

I walked out to WL's mom's car at morning car riders to tell her how proud I was of his progress. She put her hand on her chest and said, "Oh my goodness...all I could think is what in the world has he done!!" I thought this was funny, but that is probably the first thing that crossed her mind.

Amanda Holtzclaw

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:26:41 UTC

I have found that by making phone calls to parents you really do build a more positive relationship with the families. I learned a long time ago that when you let parents know that we are all on the same team rooting for their kids it goes a long way.

Greta Whitworth

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:29:22 UTC

I feel like all of my calls home made a positive impact but I think they were the most impactful with students that struggle with behavior issues. It was good for those parents to hear that their child was off to a good start and we were working as a team to make this a good year for them. Two that come to mind in particular are M and L. Both of their moms were very appreciative of the call and let me know that. Both girls have had a good year so far and I'm glad that I have had multiple opportunities to speak with their parents about their growth both academically and behaviorally.

Jessica Rogers

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:30:26 UTC

One positive thing that happened on a phone call was a grandparent was excited that I reached out to her. She thanked me for taking care of her grandson, and thanked the school that we have the program Kate's Club. She said her grandson is excited to go the meetings and it has made a positive difference to him.

Tracey Crawford

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:32:30 UTC

I called a parent and that call has opened the door for her to communicate with me about needs her child is having.

Destin Marlowe

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:34:06 UTC

have experienced multiple positive things from parents during a phone call. I had a parent almost become emotional when hearing how well their student was doing. I also have had multiple positive experiences by receiving more information about the students (interests/needs/etc) - one parent let me know their child loves transformers so I used that information to help me grow closer with the student. Overall, parents just seem so happy when hearing how their child is doing!

Kim Hunt

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:36:09 UTC

A positive experience I've had when doing phone calls was when I called a student in my 2nd grade WIN group and spoke to his mom about the intervention I was doing with him and how hard he was trying. This child's behavior is much better and I expressed that to her. The mom was so thankful to hear this news.

Ashley Craig

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:57:58 UTC

Something positive I experienced was CaK's mom and when telling her how he was so creative and such a hard worker and I just really enjoyed teaching him, she said "Wow! You scared me at first, anytime a teacher has called they are only telling me something one of my boys has done wrong. She said it was so nice to hear something positive about her child". Even since then and by her letting C know I called his behavior has improved from there as well, It makes such a difference!

Ashlee Johnson

dbray8 — 2024-10-31 23:59:25 UTC

Something positive that I have experienced through my phone calls to parents is that one grandparent was thinking that I was calling to discuss a behavior problem/concern with her. When I let her know that I was calling to discuss how well the student was doing so far she was so surprised. When I saw her at the Rock Your School night, she brought up how much she appreciated me calling her. This has helped to strengthen my relationship with this student's family.

Rebecca Bailey

dbray8 — 2024-11-01 00:00:33 UTC

During my positive phone calls it was great to hear the excitement in their voices when we didn't call for a negative issue. A few parents said it was great to hear how their child was doing outside of parent conferences.

Makenna Adams

dbray8 — 2024-11-04 16:45:28 UTC

The positive phone calls have made me feel more connected with parents this year. I think doing the phone calls so early in the year put a lot of parents' minds at ease as well to hear how their kindergarteners were adjusting to school. I had several parents tell me that it made them feel a lot better to hear that their students were adjusting to school well! It was also good to hear if any parents had any concerns; instead of waiting to hear them in October at conferences.