Tips for Writing Effective Emails to Parents

Teaching with Valor Podcast: A Veteran Teachers Perspective

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"Welcome back to Teaching with Valor, the podcast where we tackle the real-life questions that teachers face daily with practical advice and actionable strategies. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today, we’re exploring one of the most powerful tools for communication in education: email.
Email has become the cornerstone of how we communicate with parents. It’s fast, efficient, and allows us to connect with parents outside of the traditional school day. But while email is convenient, it’s also tricky. Without the tone of voice or body language that comes with face-to-face conversations, messages can sometimes be misinterpreted. A poorly written email can create misunderstandings, while a thoughtful, well-crafted one can build trust, foster collaboration, and strengthen the teacher-parent partnership.
So today, we’re diving into how to write effective emails to parents. We’ll explore what to say, how to say it, and how to ensure your message achieves its goal, whether you’re sharing good news, addressing a concern, or seeking support for a student. Whether you’re an elementary, middle, or high school teacher, these tips will help you communicate with clarity, professionalism, and empathy.
Show Notes
For more information on this topic checkout the following resources:
•Edutopia – Communication Tips for Teachers: www.edutopia.org - Practical advice for writing effective emails.
•Scholastic – Tips for Teacher Emails: Best practices for professional and clear communication with parents.
•National PTA – Building Parent-Teacher Partnerships: Guides for fostering collaboration through communication.
•Understood – Email Etiquette for Teachers: Tips for handling challenging topics in writing.
•Harvard Family Research Project – Effective Communication with Parents: Research-based strategies for strengthening teacher-parent relationships.
Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!