⟩ Explain as a grade one teacher, how would you motivate parents to become involved in the classroom and in their child’s education? ?
What is critical to communicate in your response to this question is your understanding of the importance of parental involvement and how you always encourage participation to strengthen student-teacher-parent relationships. (Grandparents can also be encouraged to participate.) Talk about some of the things that parents can volunteer to do in the classroom, such as: reading with students, preparing project materials, creating bulletin boards, sorting materials, setting up learning centers, hanging up students’ work, etc.
Parental involvement means much more than just attending parent-teacher interviews. You must set goals to keep the parents abreast of what is going on in the classroom. You can communicate that information and ask for volunteers through weekly or bi-weekly newsletters. You might inform parents when you are starting a new unit or specific projects and make sure they clearly understand the homework assignments each week. Make sure that parents are invited to any momentous or appropriate events.
You should contact or speak to parents not just when a child is having difficulty, but also when they are doing well. Tell the hiring panel that you will call parents and send notes home complimenting students on good behavior. Also mention that you try to recruit bilingual parents to help with communication as necessary.
Let the hiring committee know that you coach parents on how they can help their child succeed academically. You may have read some resource book(s) to gain ideas that you could implement. If so, let the panel know. Holding a parent appreciation lunch or tea to acknowledge those who have helped in the classroom is a great idea. Consider attending some of the PTA meetings. If your portfolio contains any past newsletters or parental communication letters, make sure you show these to the panel.
