It’s back-to-school season and many of us have been spending the last few weeks finding the right backpack, locating the missing lunch box, or buying some pencils and tissue boxes for the classroom. If your child has disabilities, you may have also been making social stories or creating transition charts or visual schedules. Don’t forget about one of the most important pieces: introducing your child to the teacher.
We all want the relationship between our kids and their teachers to be a positive one. To help get everyone off on the right foot, try introducing your child to their new teacher by creating a “Meet my child” document. Bring it with your child to meet the teacher or better yet, if possible, ask your child to carry it along.
I also like to write a letter and send it to my child’s teacher by email. This helps me build a relationship with them and establish great communication from the start of the year. Here is the letter I wrote last year. Maybe it will be useful to you, too.
Dear Teacher,
I hope you had a relaxing summer. I hope your emotional batteries are recharged. I know how much you give during the school year and how exhausting that is. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I am writing to introduce my child to you, their teacher.
Let Me Tell You About Me
You will likely hear from me often. I am updating my IEP binder. I am hoping to schedule a visit to preview the classroom with my son. I have the checklists and I’m doing my best to prepare our home, our family and my son for a new school year. I am a bit anxious about the change in routine and the start of a new year in a new classroom. I’m also optimistic and hopeful that with new experiences come new opportunities for growth and learning!
Meet My Son – Your Student
By now you’ve likely seen the diagnoses and read the IEP.
But I want to tell you more.
I want to tell you that his hair is super short because he gave himself a haircut and we couldn’t salvage the locks. I want to tell you why he did it and how we are proud of how he dealt with it.
I want to tell you that there is nothing sweeter than the first good morning interactions with this loving child.
It’s helpful to know what he’s eaten that day and how it could be affecting his behavior. I see changes based on how the morning went, or his sleep, or how his brothers’ moods are impacting him.
I think it’s all important and I’ll want to tell you everything. I also know that I can’t tell you everything. I will follow your lead. So…
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What is the best way to keep an open line of communication?
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Do you prefer email, a communication folder, or an app for us to stay in touch?
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Should we schedule regular meetings to check in on the phone or in-person?
You and I are entering a partnership around a very important person and we both want to be set up for success. Let’s figure out a plan together!
You have a lot of new students to meet. I can’t expect to flood you with details and ask you to know my son as I do. You’ll have your own impressions and perspective and that is valuable. You will gather information from reports, testing and IEP goals and this will give you invaluable insight into my son’s needs. For a fuller picture of my awesome child, however, I would like to present you with the following document from my child, about my child.
Thank you for all you give. It’s going to be a great year.
Sincerely,
Julie
