108. Team Teacher Malfunction *Communication Error* This session will provide experience and resources to those teachers that are having communication issues with their team teachers and/or parents. When we work with a group of 2-3 other teachers with such different personalities, it is easy to have a break-down of communication and expectations. Join this session and share what you believe works best when demonstrating to students that all of their core teachers have the same expectations. Presenter(s): Brandon Wilson, Lisa Sapir Location: Biltmore

1. Team Teacher Malfunction
*Communication Error*
Monday, March 7, 2016
10:15AM-11:15AM

2. About the Presenters
Brandon Wilson
● Western Carolina University
● Math & Science Education
● 3+ Years of Experience
● 7th & 8th grade Science, 8th Grade Math
● NSTA, NCSTA Past Board Member, NCCTM
● brandon.wilson@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Lisa Sapir
● East Carolina University
● Math Education
● 18+ Years of Experience
● 7th grade Math
● NCCTM
● lisa.sapir@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

3. Objective(s):
1) Provide experienced feedback on ways to effectively engage parents and the
community
2) How to navigate difficult students, parents and challenging situations
3) Discuss benefits of consistent team expectations that demonstrate positive and
effective classroom management
4) Discuss effective methods of addressing student misconduct and curriculum with
administration
5) Collaborate and share ideas on classroom and team incentives that build a strong
sense of community

4. Positive
Interaction and
Involvement with
Parents

5. What strategies do you use to improve
parent involvement and communication?
● REMIND text
● Monthly Team Emails
● In Class Volunteer Opportunities (student presentations, coteaching, awards day)
● Out-of-Class Volunteer Opportunities (field trips, clubs, organizations)
● Celebration Post Cards for Report Cards
● Homework Club
● Happy Notes/Emails Home (when grades or behavior improves)
● Warning Emails (behavior, grades, etc…)
● Parent Conferences
● Check-in/Check-out forms
Collaborate and share ideas with the group.

6. Positive Email to a Parent
“Hello
Your child…is having an excellent week with his behavior in my class! I cannot speak
for the other teachers, but he is completing his work and actually trying hard to think of
his answers and responses to questions. I am proud of how he is keeping himself
together. I knew he could do it!
I have no doubt, he will be able to attend our field trip and other incentives.”
Parent Response
“...I absolutely appreciate the good news. I hope this means that he will continue this
streak. I know you and I usually only correspond due to issues that occur at school, it is
nice to receive this email. Hopefully ... also likes the recognition as well. I have
loosened his restrictions at home. I hope this is a trend that will continue throughout
the year. Again, thank you for sending this email. It is nice to hear something good.”

7. We all need a B.Ed in Parent Conferences!
● Be prepared
● Never meet with a parent alone
● Have all documentation ready
● Offer suggestions
● Never turn down a parent for a conference
● Use it as a reflection
● Understand and consider the emotions of the
situation (why are you meeting)
● Follow up through email or phone
● Know the strengths and weakness of the
team teachers
● The goal is to make the parent feel more
comfortable about what is happening in the
classroom
● You can guarantee that the parents have
already told the principals everything

8. Team Teacher
Email Examples
Notice the difference in language
when Teacher A notifies a parent
about misbehavior vs. Teacher B

9. Teacher A-Email to parent of misbehaving
child
“Good Afternoon.
Today ... received his 7th MIR. This resulted in an office referral.
... came into the classroom very loudly. There were students from the previous class
still taking the exam and I had spoken to all of 5th period about coming in quietly. I
asked ... to please sit quietly while I distributed computers to the students. He got up
twice in 2 minutes. Then, as I was giving the exam instructions, .... knocked his
Chromebook off of his desk and onto the floor. I sent him to the Responsibility Room to
take his test.
Please address this situation with ... at home.”

10. Teacher B-Email to parent of misbehaving
child
Hello
Your child received a Minor Incident Report:
2/18/2016 8:39:05 ……. 2/17/2016 Classroom Silent/Working Lunch
(Day) Inappropriate use of a rubber band.
Thanks!

11. Divorced or
Separated
Parents’
Responses to
Teacher Emails
What are some tips and
suggestions for sending emails to
parents that are not together?

12. Parent A Response:
“I am so sorry…. I left over the weekend to go back to ohio for a couple weeks and to
make arrangements to relocate back to the area. I am not sure if he took his medicine
today or not. I have been trying to communicate with his mother but she has not been
answering me. I am doing the absolute best I can. I am pulling my hair out. I will talk to
him again tonight. Again I am so sorry. I am not sure what is going on here.”

13. Parent B Response
“Just because your not here doesn't mean that he doesn't have a darn good parent
here.
Ms Sapir
He was told to finish his project by me. He is responsible for his own choices like I teach
him. Please let me know if he doesn't turn it in.”

14. Parent
Responses to
Teacher Emails
Notice how some parents react
differently to different teachers…

15. Parent response to
Teacher A
“I will talk to ... about this. He
has been working hard to
bring up his grades. He does,
as you know, get distracted
easily. I will make sure he
understands that this is not
acceptable behavior. I
appreciate the email.”
“...Yesterday 2/3/16 ... stepped on the
same girls shoe and she made a very big
deal out of it. He said you gave him a
MIR. I told him he was wrong to do
what he did, and I also told him that
you too were wrong in what you did. I
don't know why .... is treated like this,
but there is an obvious distrust or
prejudice towards him. I don't know if
it's his brothers legacy or if ….is
digging his own grave, but it is obvious
that not all students have to abide by
the same rules. I guess this will just be
one of those learning lessons. Life is
not fair.”
Parent response to Teacher B

16. What would you do if you received this
email?
“Mr. Wilson, please do not notify me anymore when you give ... an MIR for his attitude and tone. Based on every
conversation that I have ever had with you regarding ..., it is obvious that you do not like him. I allowed ... to
remain in your class based on Dr.Roth asking me to allow her time to help "develop" you into becoming a better
teacher. I agreed even after you had threaten my son. Most parents do not take well to that type of treatment. I
really not sure what Dr.Roth was thinking, because she can not change who you are. You continue to disrespect
him and talk in a derogatory tone/manner to him and he responds back mirroring you and you don't like it. In all
of ...'s years of school I have never had any problems with him being disrespectful. You also have been
condescending/borderline disrespectful towards me for no reason, therefore I am not going to reprimand ... for
these MIRs from you when it concerns his ATTITUDE with you because you have one with him. It's obvious you
do not like kids and you are not suited to be a teacher. I recommend you grow up and find another job. I will be
contacting Dr.Roth to discuss what needs to happen now, because I am not comfortable with the way things
seem to be progressing between you and .....”

17. Same parent, same day, to a different teacher
“Thank you Mrs. Evans for this information. I have spoken to .... Hopefully tomorrow
will be a better day and everyone will do well on the test. I appreciate you keeping me
informed. If you feel an in person meeting would be helpful/necessary at this point,
you can reach me at…”

18. Students know
when teachers
are not on the
same page!
You must build consistent team
expectations in order to provide
structure for your students.

19. Team Expectations vs. Your Classroom
Management Style
What current rules and expectations does your team have that all the team teachers
agree with and it does not hinder your classroom management style?
Which of the following can interfere with your personal classroom management?
● Homeroom expectations
● Hallway behavior
● Lunch/Cafeteria seating and rules
● Bathroom & Locker Break policy
Make your style fit your school. You are more successful when your style can adapt to
school expectations OR be prepared to be defenseless. Support your other team
teachers so that you all can be successful! Support does not mean agreeing.

20. Miscommunication starts at
the top!

21. Communicating with Administrators
Best Practices
● Use the proper channels to address student or personal concerns
● Talk upfront and share your ideas proactively
● Document everything (student vs. student, teacher vs. student, admin vs. teacher)
● Do not be afraid to say “no.” Not every decision adminstration makes is of the best
interest for your students or your personal agenda
● You are here for the students, first. Know your purpose and make sure
adminstration knows your purposes
● Do not set yourself up for failure. Always have a responsible witness nearby for all
situations

22. TEAM AND STUDENT
RECOGNITION HELPS TO
BUILD COMMUNITY
-Parents like this!

23. Team Incentive Wall

24. Team Recognitions

25. Ideas?!
Share your team or classroom ideas with people at your table
that help build your team’s community.

26. Online Resources:
Getting along with fellow teachers:
http://www.new2teaching.org.uk/tzone/education/workingrelationships/
http://teaching.about.com/od/pd/a/Teacher-To-Teacher-Communication.htm
Effective communication for teachers:
http://effectivecommunicationadvice.com/effective-communication-for-teachers
http://www.teachhub.com/parent-teacher-communication-tips
What to do if I don't get along with my child’s teacher:
http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/getting-along-teachers.html
http://www.reachtoteachrecruiting.com/blog/tips-for-getting-along-with-your-co-teacher