The Secret to Successful Teacher Parent Phone Calls: in 90 seconds

Best practices regarding parent phone calls are discussed. We create a checklist of important information to have on hand before making a parent phone call. We strongly encourage teachers to keep parents updated with their student's progress so there are no surprises or blindsides with discipline issues and/or grades. Teachers are encouraged to build rapport with parents by sharing positive grade & behavior updates when appropriate. Creative strategies are shared which can be used as preemptive measures to remedy situations before they warrant a phone call home. Teachers are encouraged to print out grades, attendance, and any relevant IEP (Individual Education Plan) information before calling parents, so they have that information readily available. This information is particularly important for new and inexperienced teachers without much experience dealing with parents.

This video covers the following questions.

How to make a parent phone call?
How to prepare for a parent phone call?
How build a positive relationship with parents?
What should I say on a parent phone call?
What to do if parents act rude on a parent phone call?
What to do if a parent phone call does not go well?
How to develop positive relationships with parents?

Kris Cole's Biographical Information:

SELECTED TEACHING & COACHING AWARDS

- Envirothon - Wildlife Division - State Champions - 2012
Soils Division - State Champions - 2002 & 2004
- Envirothon - State Finalists - 2002, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, & 2020
- Became Winningest Envirothon Coach of All Time for Seminole County with 8th win - 2020
- “Seniors’ Choice Award” out of over 200 faculty - 2010
- Teacher of the Month - 2000 & 2009
- Highest Advanced Placement Environmental Science pass rate in SCPS - 2001, 2003, & 2004
- Disney Teacherrific Award - 2003
- Selected by Phillips Petroleum to film a video about the Florida Scrub Jay that was distributed
to schools nationwide - 2003
- Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers - 2000 & 2001
- Awarded OEE “Program of Excellence” - state’s highest environmental education award - 2000
- Seminole Soil & Water Conservation District - Teacher of the Year - 1999
- Girls Basketball Assistant Coach - State Champions - 1999 & 2000

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES:

- Assistant Principal - Rock Lake Middle School (2004)
- President - School Advisory Council - Millennium Middle School (2002 & 2003)
- Department Chairman - Science (2003)
- Co-Chairman “School Within A School” Committee (2003)
- Developed integrated curriculum program with Drafting, Biology, Chemistry, English & Art at Winter Springs High School (2003)
- Administrative Internships at Winter Springs High School & Millennium Middle School. (2002)
- Developed & implemented high school “team teaching” integrated curriculum program with English at Winter Springs High School. (2001 & 2002)
- School Advisory Committee member (Millennium Middle School 2001)
- National Educator Program’s Teachers Workshop - participant (July 23 - 25, 2001)

SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

- Head Coach - Powder Puff Football (1997 - 2020)
- Head Coach - Junior Varsity Girls Basketball (2005 - 2011)
- Head Coach - Freshman Girls Basketball (1998 - 2003)
- Head Coach - Boys Tennis (1997 - 1999)
- Assistant Coach - Varsity Girls Basketball (1997 - 2003) & (2005 - 2011)
- Environmental Club Sponsor - (1997 - 2003) & (2005 - 2007)
- Envirothon Sponsor - (1997 - 2003) & (2005 – Present)

GRANTS AWARDED

$15,000 Learn & Serve Grant (1997)
$15,000 Learn & Serve Grant (1998)
$8,750 Learn & Serve Grant (1999)
$1,000 Disney Teacherrific Award

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