Mapping Out Next School Year: What Can Key Stakeholders Do?
School start times may vary, but school buses will reappear around the corner, and the noticeable bell will chime at the familiar times. What will the school look like for your children or classroom? This was a driving factor why I created Stunning Jade: educators and parents/guardians can set a roadmap for the upcoming school year. Of course, there will be bumps around the way, but guidelines and expectations can help build a solid foundation.
I noticed when I was a teacher, and I think it is more widespread currently: leaders at all levels of influence are impacting the education of our students. Many articles place educators and parents/guardians with different goals and blame educators for societal issues. These types of work and rhetoric divide key stakeholders and ones that can help the school year be stronger. A driving factor why I created Stunning Jade was to change that narrative because I believe:
The majority of parents/guardians are kind and helpful
Most educators want the students assigned to them to be kind and thriving during the school year.
I have three different strategies that parents/guardians and educators can try before the school year begins. Some time may be needed for planning them, but I know we live in a busy world with schedules and notifications chiming galore. I hope you find these helpful!
Parents/Guardians
I have a toddler, so I cannot speak about what the school year would look like. I have seen the impacts of when parents/guardians implement this and they or the children mention this.
Double-check contact information with the school.
Sometimes addresses, phone numbers, and emails change. The data may have needed to have transferred correctly, especially if there is a school change. It is a quick check and will be very helpful if any school personnel need to contact you.
2. Encourage reading
Some schools during the year have reading time, and as an adult, I would read alongside the children. Reading with or to your child can foster connections academically and as a family. The book doesn’t have to be academically related, but it can be great to spark ideas and connections.
3. Discuss expectations for the following year.
Have an age-related discussion on what the next year will look like. It can be on a drive or during a meal. What are your child’s goals? What do they want to accomplish? Of course, expectations will change based on need and grade level. Non-academics can also be discussed, how to grow as a leader, help others in the class, or be involved in after-school activities. I never received straight- As in my K-12 years, so it may not be best to start with that as the opener.
Educators:
I will not pretend I was the educator who knew it all. I realized though when I did this, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. It gave me more free time and let me focus on building connections with students.
Read your contract in detail and outline your work hours.
Every contract is different, but check your obligations to the school. Every career requires time and commitment, but you are not on call twenty-four hours. There may also be an after-school obligation, and ensure your district follows fair labor standards. Stunning Jade is not an association or union, so please contact your local ones if needed.
2. Write and communicate your expectations and work hours.
After reviewing your contract choose what times work best for you. There may be an after-school day or a school-wide professional needs beyond school hours. However, you are allowed time to only be on your email or learning management system (Schoology, Canva, SIS, etc.) for part of the day. As I reminded parents, I am teaching during the day. Will I check when I have a moment? Of course, an email sent at 10 am will not be responded to by noon, especially if I had a class then. I would not be a good educator if I hoovered over the email tab. I need to be there for my students and their needs. I would list my work hours on the syllabus and also in communications with parents on the learning management system.
3. Balance learning about students’ previous performance.
Most of my teaching was the student’s first year at the school, and I loved it. Everyone had a fresh slate. Did the student goof off the year before? Were they the most studious in the class? I did not know and found that helpful because summer can mean significant changes. Social circles could have changed for the student. Unfortunately, trauma could have also occurred. It is paramount to learn certain aspects about a student’s background, such as family dynamics, custody rights, if the student experienced homelessness or has an applicable medical condition. However, I try to balance seeing them as having great potential and an essential person in our classroom environment. People can change and should be given multiple opportunities to shine.
Let’s make this year where divisions are not immediately placed. Let’s collaborate and empower one another. Let’s have this school year where key stakeholders help each other so students can grow up to be found and successful.
