How Do I Introduce Myself to Parents at the Beginning of the Year?

Send us a text

"Welcome back to Teaching with Valor, the podcast where we dive deep into the heart of teaching, exploring strategies and insights to support educators at every stage of their journey. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today, we’re talking about one of the most important first steps of the school year: introducing yourself to parents.

The beginning of the school year is all about setting the tone—not just in your classroom but also in the relationships you’ll build with families. That first introduction to parents is your chance to establish trust, communicate your values, and let parents know that their children are in capable hands. When you approach this moment with clarity, warmth, and intention, it opens the door to positive collaboration throughout the year.

In today’s episode, we’ll explore effective strategies for introducing yourself to parents across all grade levels—whether you’re welcoming families of elementary students or kicking off a middle or high school year. We’ll talk about what to say, how to communicate, and how to create an introduction that reflects who you are as a teacher.

Get my latest book manuscript for Ready, Set, Teach! At the site links below.
 
TeachingwithValor.com

DJFessenden.com

Show Notes

For more information on this topic checkout the following resources:

• Edutopia – Building Parent-Teacher Relationships: www.edutopia.org - Articles and strategies for effective parent communication.
• Scholastic – Tips for Teachers’ Back-to-School Nights: Ideas for making the most of your first parent meetings.
• National PTA – Parent-Teacher Communication Tools: Tools and suggestions for positive parent-teacher relationships.
• The First Days of School by Harry K. Wong: A classic guide with tips on effective communication with parents.
• Remind – A Communication Tool for Schools: A digital tool for staying in touch with parents and students.

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!

Episode Transcript

Don (00:09):
"Welcome to Teaching with Valor, the podcast where we dive
into the heart of education,helping teachers, parents, and
students thrive.
I’m your host, Don Fessenden,and if you’re passionate about
making a difference ineducation, you’ve come to the
right place.
Before we jump into today’s deepdive episode, I’d like to ask

(00:30):
for your support.
If you find value in theseconversations, please take a
moment to like, subscribe, andshare this podcast with your
fellow educators and parents.
Your support helps us reach alarger audience, empowering more
teachers and families tonavigate the challenges of
education with confidence andcourage.

(00:50):
So hit that subscribe button,share this episode, and let’s
continue to grow this communitytogether.
Today, we’re talking about oneof the most important first

steps of the school year: introducing yourself to parents. (01:00):
undefined
The beginning of the school yearis all about setting the tone:
not just in your classroom butalso in the relationships you’ll
build with families.
That first introduction toparents is your chance to
establish trust, communicateyour values, and let parents

(01:20):
know that their children are incapable hands.
When you approach this momentwith clarity, warmth, and
intention, it opens the door topositive collaboration
throughout the year.
In today’s episode, we’llexplore effective strategies for
introducing yourself to parentsacross all grade levels—whether
you’re welcoming families ofelementary students or kicking

(01:43):
off a middle or high schoolyear.
We’ll talk about what to say,how to communicate, and how to
create an introduction thatreflects who you are as a
teacher.
And for our parent listeners,we’ve got a bonus segment at the
end answering a common questionI hear from parents: What can I
do to help my child’s teacher atthe start of the school year?

(02:05):
Alright, let’s jump in andexplore what makes a memorable
and impactful introduction." Intodays first segment The
Importance of a FirstImpression.
"Let’s start with why thisintroduction is so important.
As teachers, we know that firstimpressions matter, especially
when we’re meeting parents whomay be entrusting us with their

(02:26):
children for the very firsttime.

Think about it (02:29):
when a parent drops their child off or sends
them off to school, they’rehoping for more than just
academic progress.
They want to know that theirchild is in a safe, positive,
and supportive environment.
Your introduction is the firstopportunity to reassure them
that you’re committed toproviding exactly that.

(02:49):
Creating a warm, confident, andinformative introduction tells
parents that you’re ready,prepared, and excited to be
working with their children.
It also sets a foundation oftrust, and trust is essential in
building productiverelationships with families.
When parents see that you’re notjust here to teach but also to

(03:09):
understand, guide, and support,they’re far more likely to
engage with you positivelythroughout the year.
This first communication alsoestablishes you as a
professional partner.
Parents want to feel thatthey’re part of their child’s
educational journey, and yourintroduction helps them see you

as a collaborator (03:28):
someone who values their input and wants to
work together for their child’ssuccess.
So, as you prepare to make thisintroduction, think about the
message you want to send and thevalues you want to convey.""With
that in mind, let’s move on tohow you might approach
introducing yourself to parentsin elementary school, where

(03:50):
family involvement is oftenparticularly strong and
essential.""For elementaryteachers, the beginning of the
year is a wonderful opportunityto connect with parents who are
eager to understand what theirchild’s school experience will
look like.
Many elementary parents are usedto being involved and are
looking for a teacher who isapproachable and communicates

(04:12):
openly.
This first introduction can comein many forms: a letter, an
email, or even a face-to-facemeeting at back-to-school night.
When introducing yourself, keepit personable and genuine.
Start by sharing a bit aboutyourself—where you’re from, your
teaching experience, and even apersonal detail or two, like a

(04:33):
favorite hobby or why you choseto become a teacher.
For example, you might say,‘Hello! My name is[Your Name],
and I’m thrilled to be yourchild’s teacher this year.
I’ve been teaching for[X] years,and I’m passionate about
fostering a love of learning.
When I’m not in the classroom,you can find me[insert hobby or
interest].’ Next, communicateyour excitement about the school

(04:57):
year and your approach toteaching.
Describe your vision for theclassroom.
For younger students, parentsoften appreciate knowing that
their children are in astructured but joyful
environment where learning feelslike an adventure.
You might say,‘In our classroom,I believe in creating a space
where students feel safe,encouraged, and excited to

(05:19):
learn.
We’ll explore[mention topics oractivities] and work on building
not only academic skills butalso social skills like kindness
and respect.’ Finally, letparents know how they can stay
connected.
Share your preferred method ofcommunication, whether it’s
email, a school app, or regularnewsletters.

(05:41):
Tell them when and how they canreach you, and encourage them to
reach out with any questions orconcerns.
This creates a sense ofopen-door communication from the
start, showing that you’re thereto support their child and value
their involvement.""As studentsgrow older and transition into
middle school, the way wecommunicate with parents often

(06:03):
shifts to address the changes intheir child’s development.
Let’s talk about how tointroduce yourself to middle
school parents in a way thataddresses their unique needs."
"In middle school, students arestarting to become more
independent, and parents oftenbegin to step back a bit to let
their children take moreresponsibility.

(06:24):
But even with this shift,parents still want to know who’s
guiding their child’s education.
When introducing yourself tomiddle school parents, consider
how you can highlight your rolein supporting students through
this period of growth andchange.
A good introduction might startby acknowledging the journey of
middle school.
You could say,‘Hi, I’m[YourName], and I’m excited to work

(06:48):
with your child this year asthey grow and develop new
skills.
I understand that middle schoolis a time of change, and I’m
here to support themacademically, socially, and
emotionally.’ In middle school,parents are often particularly
interested in academicexpectations, so be clear about
your goals for the year.

(07:09):
Let them know the main skills ortopics you’ll cover and what you
expect from students.
You might add,‘This year, we’lldive into[mention specific
topics or projects], and my goalis to help each student become a
more independent thinker andlearner.
I believe in challengingstudents while providing the
support they need to succeed.’Finally, emphasize your

(07:32):
communication approach.
Middle school parents appreciateregular updates but may not
expect as much involvement aselementary parents.
Tell them about your preferredmethods of contact and how often
they can expect updates onassignments, grades, and student
progress.
Middle school is also a greattime to introduce digital

(07:54):
platforms for communication, ifavailable.
Mention that you’ll be availablethrough email or other channels,
and encourage them to reach outwhenever they have questions or
concerns.""High school bringsits own set of challenges and
opportunities, as students aremore independent and parents are
more focused on academic andcareer outcomes.

(08:16):
Let’s discuss how to approachintroductions with high school
parents.""In high school,students are gaining even more
independence, and parents areoften focused on long-term
goals, like college or careerpreparation.
High school parents may notexpect as much day-to-day
communication, but they stillwant to know that their child is

(08:38):
in good hands.
When introducing yourself tohigh school parents, it’s
helpful to establish your roleas both a teacher and a mentor,
someone who will supportstudents in achieving their
academic and personal goals.
Begin by introducing yourselfprofessionally.
Share your subject area, yearsof experience, and any specific

(09:00):
expertise or certifications youhold.
For example, you might say,‘Hello, I’m[Your Name], and I’m
thrilled to be teaching[Subject]this year.
I’ve been teaching for[X] yearsand have a strong background in
[mention relevant area], so I’mexcited to help students dive
deeper into these topics.’ Highschool parents often want to

(09:21):
know about your teaching styleand how you’ll help students
prepare for the future.
Describe your expectations forthe year and your approach to
fostering independence andresponsibility.
You might say,‘This year,students will work on developing
skills that will serve thembeyond high school, like
critical thinking, effectivecommunication, and time

(09:42):
management.
I encourage students to takeownership of their learning, and
I’m here to guide and supportthem along the way.’ Lastly,
outline how you’ll keep parentsinformed about major projects,
grades, and important dates.
High school parents may not needconstant updates, but they do
appreciate a heads-up on majorassessments or deadlines.

(10:06):
Let them know that you’reavailable to discuss their
child’s progress as needed andthat you value their role in
supporting their child’sgrowth.""Now that we’ve covered
the different approaches forelementary, middle, and high
school introductions, let’s talkabout some practical tips that
apply no matter what grade youteach.""Whether you’re

(10:27):
introducing yourself to parentsin person, via email, or through
a welcome letter, there are afew strategies that can make
your introduction trulymemorable.
One of the most effective is tokeep your tone friendly and
approachable.
While you want to beprofessional, letting your
personality shine through showsparents that you’re a real

(10:47):
person who genuinely cares abouttheir child.
Another tip is to keep itconcise.
Parents appreciate anintroduction that gets to the
point without overwhelming themwith too much information.
Focus on what they really needto know: who you are, your
vision for the year, and howthey can stay in touch.

(11:08):
Using visuals is another greatapproach, especially if you’re
introducing yourself online orin a letter.
A simple photo or a few fungraphics can add a personal
touch that makes yourintroduction more engaging.
Many teachers also include ashort video introduction.
A quick one-minute video can goa long way in making a warm

(11:30):
first impression.
And don’t forget to follow up.
A first introduction is only thebeginning of your relationship
with parents.
Throughout the year, check inwith updates on classroom
activities or major assignments.
These touchpoints reinforce thatyou’re actively engaged and
invested in their child’sprogress.""Now that we’ve

(11:55):
covered how to introduceyourself to parents, let’s turn
to our bonus segment where we’llanswer a question"Parents often
ask, What can I do to support mychild’s teacher at the beginning
of the year?
This is a wonderful question,and the good news is, there are
many ways to show your support.
One of the simplest but mostimpactful ways is to send a

(12:18):
quick note of appreciation.
Teachers work hard to preparefor the start of the year, and a
message acknowledging theireffort can mean a lot.
You might say something like,‘Thank you for all the work
you’ve put into preparing forthe year.
We’re looking forward to a greatpartnership.’ Another way to
support teachers is byreinforcing their classroom

(12:40):
expectations at home.
If a teacher has a certainhomework policy or classroom
rule, discuss it with your childand explain why it’s important
to follow.
This shows the teacher that yourespect their approach and are
on board with supporting theirgoals for the classroom.
Finally, consider volunteeringif you have the time and

(13:01):
availability.
Even if it’s just helping outwith a class event or project,
teachers appreciate having extrahands on deck, especially at the
beginning of the year whenroutines are still being
established." Now, todaysepisode takeaways.
"Introducing yourself to parentsat the start of the year is more

than just a formality (13:21):
it’s an opportunity to set the tone for
positive, productivepartnerships that support
student success.
Whether you’re teachingelementary, middle, or high
school, a warm and clearintroduction builds trust,
invites collaboration, and laysthe foundation for a strong
relationship with families.

(13:42):
Thank you for joining us on thisepisode of Teaching with Valor.
For more resources on craftingeffective introductions and
building strong parentrelationships, check out the
links in our episodedescription.
Remember, a great teacher is onewho’s not only committed to
their students but also valuesthe role of families in the

(14:03):
learning journey.
Keep connecting, keep growing,and as always, keep teaching
with valor."