Do You Accept the Challenge?

Let's Change the World One Positive Parent Experience at a Time

In the spirit of teaching excellence, I challenge you to incorporate a strategy that I began implementing early in my teaching career. The ‘Positive Parent Phone Call Challenge’ is a strategic parent engagement initiative where positive parent phone calls are employed to improve school and classroom culture and ultimately student achievement and success. Not only is it a strategic effort. It has the power to change the world simply by reinforcing more of what we want. 

Higher Standards

Prior to implementing my idea, I found students were not performing at the level I expected and the classroom was not as positive as I wanted it to be; I wanted my classroom to be a ‘positivity zone' so that students could attain their highest level of success. To enhance classroom culture and student performance, I decided to call one parent a day and tell them something positive about their child. I was modeling the "positivity zone" for my students and their families. Whether they were "caught doing something nice" for a classmate or achieved a new level of competence and learning, I called to share the good news!

Where Do You Find the Time? 

When I initially embarked on the Positive Parent Phone Call journey, I wondered how I would make time? As educators, we struggle with having enough time in the day to accomplish all of our tasks. This strategic process actually created more time in my schedule! My students were more positive and focused and parents became more engaged partners. I spent less time reacting to student disruptions and more time instructing and facilitating a learning environment. During my planning period I was able to spend more time focusing on creating a dynamic learning environment and less time worrying about student behaviors. This strategy not only impacted my students lives, it improved my productivity and happiness as a teacher. 

Gratitude

It worked best for my schedule to make calls on Fridays after school rather than one or two calls a day throughout the week. Most parents did not answer since they were still at work, so I left a friendly voicemail about their child and wished them a nice weekend. The parents that answered were often concerned initially and expected me to say something negative. When I shared the positive news, usually the line became silent, followed by laughter and a smile one could hear echo through the phone line. We would talk briefly about how proud I was of their child for achieving something notable. Regularly, before the end of the call, parents would express their gratitude and sometimes confide in me that they had never gotten a positive call before.

The Power of Voice

I was disappointed to learn how many parents had never received a positive teacher call before. I primarily taught senior government when I first initiated the positive parent phone calls. That means that the parents I was speaking to had their children attend school every day for 13 years and during that time did not receive one positive call. Think of all the missed opportunities for teachers and parents to connect about those special moments in a child’s education. Think of the missed opportunities to develop relationships and engage the parents in the learning process. Please note: this is not a text message challenge. It is not an email challenge. It is a positive phone call challenge. There is research supporting the power of connection through voice!

It Will Fill Your "Educator Love Tank"!

I noticed changes in the classroom culture nearly immediately. Students started focusing more and demonstrating more positive actions in the class. The weekly call process lasted approximately 15-20 minutes and ended my week on a great note. I left school on Friday’s feeling positive and it was a rewarding experience that I looked forward to. I felt happy knowing that sharing something positive from school would help start the weekend off positively for families. The process warmed my heart and filled my ‘teacher love tank’!

Joy!

I did not expect the Positive Parent Phone Call Challenge to have a profound impact on me that it did. Hearing the joy in parent’s voices and seeing the increased focus of my students reminds me of the power and influence we have as educators. The transformation and positive results I saw reinforced the reasons I entered the field of education. The Positive Parent Phone Call Challenge was one of the most transformative adjustments in my career. 

Connection

I always make a point to share this story with teachers and principals I meet and encourage others to accept the Positive Parent Phone Call Challenge. Most high school teachers have 150–180 students in a given year so I had to call about 5–10 a week to meet my goal. At the elementary level if you call about 2–3 parents a week you will get through your class twice before the end of the year.

Be a Purveyor of Positivity

Part of being an excellent teacher includes focusing on the positives in the world and inspiring your students to greatness. Most people became educators to inspire and uplift children and families. Implementing this student affirming strategy will enhance your classroom and school culture and reap great rewards for students, parents, teachers, principals and the reputation of a school district as a whole.

It Works for School Leaders Too!

As an administrator, I incorporated this strategy at the high school, middle school, and elementary level and the responses were always the same, "A Principal doesn't call for something good!" followed by profound appreciation and the start of many supportive relationships. 

Tips for teachers:

• Keep a log and put it in your evaluation file to show to your administrator when you meet to discuss the teacher evaluation cycle. When you join the Parent Engagement Lab you get a Journal and resource book to assist you with sustainability! 
• Print any emails or notes parents send you about the Positive Parent Phone Call Challenge. This is great evidence for your teacher evaluation process. 
• Encourage your colleagues to join you! Register for the EDSolutions Group Parent Engagement Lab to learn more about parent engagement strategies and for your team to be taught the Positive Parent Phone Call Challenge and the 30 Parents in 30 Days Challenge and Positive Parent Phone Call Certified Educator. 

Tips for principals:

• Use this strategy for students who have had a challenging time with grades or behavior. By pointing out the positive to their parents and family I guarantee you will start to see more student effort and create opportunities for increased family and community partnerships.
• If your teachers are not in the habit of making regular calls or are nervous, offer to conference call parents as a team. By modeling the phone call, the teacher will feel more comfortable (and it is actually more fun with another person). If you don't have time to do this, I will do it FOR YOU! Register your staff for Parent Engagement Lab on or before January 26 and all participants will be enrolled in the coaching program and receive the Positive Parent Phone Call Educator Certification. 
• Invite your teacher and administrative colleagues to join the challenge with you! Register for the EDSolutions Group Parent Engagement Lab to learn more about parent engagement strategies and for your team to be taught the Positive Parent Phone Call Challenge and the 30 Parents in 30 Days Challenge. Educators become Positive Parent Phone Call Certified Educators through the coaching program. The winter session starts on February 2nd and if you register on or before January 26th you get the certification and coaching program for FREE! Yes. Free.  
• Unable to pass your school levy? Low parent engagement? Get your staff registered for the Parent Engagement Lab where we train and coach your staff on the Positive Parent Phone Call Challenge and see an immediate impact. 
• Share the results at your monthly school board meetings.

I hope you accept the challenge!

*Originally published September 11, 2015.

About the Author Lisa Imel, M.Ed.

Lisa Imel, M.Ed. is the President and Chief Educational Consultant of the EDSolutions Group where she serves as a school strategy consultant, digital course creator, leadership coach, and more! Through her work with school districts, colleges and secondary and post-secondary leadership partners she develops business community partnerships, ideates, creates and implements systems and structures so that you can lead a more productive, meaningful, healthier, happier, work & personal life. Our work will  help you have a greater impact and influence more of your students to achieve brighter futures!  As a life-long educator, high-school, middle-school, and elementary administrator, teacher and licensed superintendent, she gets it. Reach out at [email protected]

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“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” -Marian Wright Edelman