10 Promises Every Special Education Teacher Should Make To Their Students’ Parents
1. I promise to stop calling parents who have high expectations and advocate for their children “high maintenance” and I will equally try to discourage the term “high profile” if due process is involved.
2. I promise to presume competence (always assume that your child can learn and is interested in learning) even if they are unable to communicate to me what they know (yet!)
3. I promise to never use the “R” word and to speak up against it when I hear it used in private or public.
4. I promise to ask your input on the educational goals for your child BEFORE the IEP meeting and realize that without your collaboration we have no team.
5. I promise to remember that YOU were your child’s first teacher and YOU are an expert on your child…not me.
6. I promise to stop using “what is he/she going to get out of this?” or “they’re not ready” as an excuse for not including your child in general education.
7. I promise to never assume I know what goes on at your home or blame your child’s challenging behavior at school because of your parenting skills.
8. I promise to Always Be Communicating (ABC) with you about your child (especially the positive things).
9. I promise to keep an open mind and realize that what works with one child does not necessarily work with every child.
10. I promise to always have high expectations for your child and never give up on them…or you.
Full Disclosure: This post was inspired by the wonderful “Apology” post from the flappiness is… blog (Check it out…after you read this of course).
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With over 10 years of experience in special education and with people with disabilities, Tim Villegas has turned his passion for blogging and promoting ideas about inclusive schools and communities into his own website. He believes that Think Inclusive can create a bridge between educators, parents, and advocates (including self-advocates) to promote ideas, innovation and inspiration to change our world to be more accepting and value each and every human being. To learn more about Tim, visit his About Me page.