Relationships are at the heart of family engagement. Educators and leaders must establish trust with families first, and sustain that trust through consistent, meaningful communication and a sharing of power. As schools navigate changes brought about by COVID-19, building relationships with families is more important than ever.
Pairing up for your beginning of the year relationship building can provide value to both the family and you! There are many reasons to partner up, such as:
- A family might already have a strong relationship with another staff member. A familiar voice or face on the initial call can work to establish trust.
- You have a co-teacher or aide with whom the family should also have a relationship.
- The student receives additional supports or services at the school, such as through an IEP, so it makes sense to include the Special Education or ELL teacher.
No matter the reason, employing this strategy can benefit everyone involved – especially the student and family! In the Supporting Materials, you’ll find example Questions for Trust Building to use in Partnered Communications.