Along with this, we need to give clear expectations of what we need from parents. If you want parents to verbally chat with you, let them know. If you want parents to email their questions, let them know. I like to give a "Welcome to School" newsletter at the beginning of the year. In this newsletter, I include the ways that parents can communicate with me. This helps to lay it out clearly for everyone.

COMMUNICATE SUPPORTS FOR BREAKS DURING THE YEAR

During times of the year when there are breaks in school, like during winter break and summer break, communication before those breaks start, can be vital. Students' routines are thrown off by special events like holidays, events and parties, and parents may look to us for ideas and support. I find that giving families a cheat sheet of what has worked well for us in the classroom can be very helpful during these extended breaks from school. I do this by typing up a quick and short list of strategies that we use in the classroom, that can be applied when they are at home.

One thing I often encourage families to do during our extended breaks is create a schedule for students so they know what to expect. This can be a visual schedule or a written checklist, showing things that will be happening and especially noting changes. I also give families a list of items that the student seems to enjoy using in the classroom. I have had families use these as items for presents during holidays or birthdays. They are often things like: sensory toys, fidgets, or items students like to earn, by completing tasks. Lastly, I like to share with families some phrases that we use in the classroom when giving instructions to students, so they are consistent in the home, as well. Statements like, "First clean up, then have a snack."

GRACE, UPON GRACE, UPON GRACE

No one is perfect. Teachers aren't perfect. Parents aren't perfect. Along the way, someone is going to mess up. Make sure to give yourself grace when miscommunication happens. Apologize, clarify and move on. We so often put pressure on ourselves to be perfect teachers. We forget that we're human and humans make mistakes from time to time. So, grace needs to become a part of our everyday communication style.

Increasing communication between school and home is going to take effort and time. But the effort will be well worth it in the end, when you have open lines with a family and can work together to help that student be successful! •

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jenn Adams is a special education and elementary teacher living and work in Pennsylvania. She has taught in multiple classrooms, grade levels and settings including regular education, special education, and alternative education. She has taught grades Pre-K, 1st, and 5th12.Currently, Jenn works for a public cyber charter school teaching students in grades 5th through 8th in an autistic support virtual classroom. Jenn obtained her Bachelor's degree in elementary and early childhood education in 2007 from Millersville University. She also obtained her Master's degree in 2014 in special education from Saint Joseph's University. Jenn also added the credentials of becoming a registered behavior technician (RBt) working closely with students with autism and intellectual disabilities working with principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. Lastly, Jenn is currently pursuing her principal's certificate from California University of PA. In her 14 years in education she truly has found that building relationships is what needs to come first and loves learning new ways to reach her students. During her time not spent in the classroom Jenn conducts parent training with colleagues in the special education field and provides information through her blog, website, and social media channels all called Teach Love Autism. Jenn also works hard every day to find a work and life balance and believes that is the key to happiness in doing what you love.