How do teachers reach out to the community?

Question

I am working in a low income school where their are a lot of English language learners complicated with uninvolved parents. How do I reach out to the community to better help my students.

Answer 1

It depends on what you teach.



As a music teacher, I might have my students perform concerts in parks or nursing homes and hospitals. I might throw a benefit concert in order to buy a new instrument, for example.



If you're an elementary school teacher, it might be nice to do the same thing, but with "reader's theater." you could also have a gallery of students written work and art work at a local library or other public space. Just showing work is a great idea, because you can take it - you don't have to rely on parents to show up anywhere with their children.



If you teach high school, I recommend asking your students for advice. You can ask them how they can improve the community using the subject you teach. That way they can take true ownership of their work. You'd be surprised at the great ideas that they have.



Whatever you do, try to establish it as a regular thing - something you always do once or twice a year. That way parents better understand that it is an expectation. You won't get 100% involvement, but you'll probably get more parents if they understand that it is a regularly occurring expectation.

Answer 2

Teacher is the most influential person in the life of any body. As a child the man is like a heap of potters mud which needs to be moulded for his life purpose. the teachers role in the community as a whole is like a potter. He gives the Basic Values of life to his student. A True teacher is always ready to guide anybody, anywhere whether in an institute or in the community. He considers to guide the needed , his moral duty without expectation of the fees or anything. He serves as a bacon in darkness of evils, confusions for the mankind.The teacher may be a study teacher or a spiritual teacher. The community follows the ideals of the teachers, so he should follow high degree of morale.He moulds the society as a whole.He should maintain his dignity,have value based principles.In return the community should respect him.

Answer 3

First - a little perspective.



"complicated with uninvolved parents"



I too work in a ...low income, English Learners.. Inner city Los Angeles - so about the most low income, highest population of English Learners you can get. So the tag of uninvolved parents is complicated in our situation. Its too simplistic to use that description as an overview of their thinking. Here are some things that go along with our particular area:



They work alot. Many of my parents have multiple jobs, working many more hours per day than a typical 9-5. they have night shifts often that keep them away from their family at times when other families might be looking over homework completion. It is exacerbated if there is a single parent household.



Language level- If the child is a Language learner, chances are the parents have a lower fluency rate and the home language is other than english. This at times leaves some parents to be unable to help with homework tasks.



respect - I find that the parents in my area have a huge respect for us, our profession and education in general. They know that education is the key to a better life for their kids. They trust us as the experts and have a hard time seeing how they can contribute.



work. - One of the cultural aspects of my area is that parents respect the value of working. Many a parent will use this as a bridge into the classroom. If you can express your ideas within the framework of the work you would like to see from the student, they might be more receptive.



So given the above - here are some things I (along with my colleagues) have done:



cultural fairs - invite families to bring a dish (of their favorite recipe) to meet and eat at the start of a year.



parents night - explain homework policy and have a system in place for parents to check homework even if they dont understand the language. start a homework notebook system so parents can check off work completed, teachers can note work missed.



translation - a person on staff who can communicate regularly with these parents is key - a staff aide, secretary, parent volunteer who can make phone calls often.



Use their strengths - have a play coming up? find out if any parents are good with carpentry for set design or sewing for costumes - they can come in and teach the designers.



open door policy - my parents dont all have nights off, so I ask them to come anytime. mostly I get before or after school. i have at times come in later at night, really early and a few times on a weekend. It is important to always have a translator.



email and notes.



larger school functions as a bridge - science fair, assemblies, math comeptitions, spelling bees - always invite.



planning groups - need an extra set of hands to complete that larger project? end of the year festivities? field trips? many a parent have time during the day.



Im sure my list has nothing new or unique - these are probably all things you have thought of. I think the key is access. If you make access to your school available and you let it be known you *want* help... they will come.



Good luck to you!

Answer 4

OMG Spirit 2 - I am so happy you asked this question!!!!! It's a good one. If you really want to help the community, try to establish tutoring programs for them. Contact schools, libraries and other entities who give away books that they consider are old or outdated. (Each year, I am able to gather anywhere from 70-100 books!) This is what I do: Just before school ends, I send letters to the parents about my summer tutor program. I gather all my books, books I have purchased, books that stores donate, manipulatives, anything I can use. I set up tables with large cans of lemonaide, water and cookies and spread books, paper, pencils, etc out on the table. BELIEVE ME...people come from all over and they want to learn to read. I have methods of testing their reading abiltites, discern how much English they know, present them with books, alphabet charts, phone numbers for addtional help, children who gather around and sing - it's a great thing and people walk away with information and a chance to learn. I have about 4 people who volunteer with me and we go from community to community helping people, giving away books, magazines, paper, pencils, notebooks, anything that we have been able to get for free to help.



Let the kids see you in their environment. THey will learn to trust you, and they will take your commitment seriously. Good luck to you. God bless.

Answer 5

Help kids learn!