Teacher struggles to involve parents from all cultural backgrounds 

Q: I’m an elementary school teacher, and I welcome parent involvement. We have a large immigrant population in my school. Without fail, the parents who come on field trips, volunteer to read the students stories, or act as room parents are the U.S.-born parents. I think there are several issues at play. In some cases, there are language barriers. In others, I think they don’t feel comfortable reaching out. I also think there’s some insecurity that they’ll do it “wrong” or that they won’t understand expectations. And I suspect that work schedules often are an issue, too. Of course, I’m projecting. I’d like to figure it out, though, and do a better job involving all my students’ parents, regardless of their backgrounds. The kids are very aware of whose parents are in the classroom, and that can be hard when it’s the same ones over and over again. 

A: I agree that this is both difficult and important, and you have to be strategic and sensitive. I’d start with logistics. What languages do your students’ parents speak? Once you establish that, I’d send home a letter that’s translated into every language used in their homes. In that note, I’d start to build a relationship. I’d include the following points: “I value who you are and appreciate your sharing your children with us. I want to build community, and I welcome your involvement in the classroom and the school as a whole. Here are several activities that you might like to participate in this year, but I’d love to hear about any additional ways you’d like to get involved. Please share any information you’d like about your interests or passions.”  

Keep language barriers in mind at all times, whether you’re calling a parent or sending a permission slip home. Your school system may give you access to language lines or other in-school resources. I’d also be careful not to make any assumptions. Someone who seems distant and uninterested might be happy to help, but was raised in a country where that’s atypical. In some cultures, schools take care of education and parents don’t volunteer in the classroom.