Hi Terry,
I agree that we need to use caution in regards to professional boundaries with the parents that we serve. Forming those personal relationships in a classroom setting has the potential to create problems related to presumed "favoritism". For instance, in the case of your teacher contacting a parent regarding the party it may appear to other parents that this teacher was offering favors that may not have been universally available. It raises a concern of equitability and can be a very fine/blurry line to walk.
With that being said, there is, a potential caveat to consider. In order to truly provide high quality services, we need to meet parents where they are at and sometimes that might mean flexibility. In lower-income families, there may be concrete needs or barriers that prevent typical communication. For instance, limited access to a phone (no cell phone at all, or pre-paid with limited minutes) or reliance on public sources for internet (for example a library or Mcdonalds wifi). For an urgent question or concern, e-mail may not be functional because it takes too long to get a response. In this type of situation, accepting a facebook message may be the best way to meet that parent "where they are at."
I spent several years as a home-based early intervention specialist - which meant that my primary source of contact with families was in person, or via text and phone calls. My work with them depended on building that personal relationship and connection so that they were comfortable sharing information and concerns openly. Sometimes that meant communicating after hours and in unusual ways. It was not uncommon to send/receive a text message in the evening to confirm our next day's session and what confirm any supplies that may be needed. In my case, that professional boundary was not so much based on the form and time of communications, but on social relationships. I was always cautious to ensure that families understood where that line was. For instance, I answered phone calls and texts after hours (within reason) if it was related to the child or a need for emergency support but we did not engage socially (non child-related conversations, attending their child's birthday parties etc.).
I think that you as a program director, are in a position where you get to decide on where that boundary lies based on the needs of your families. If there are any special circumstances those can be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
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Megan Brooks
Behavior Coach/Early Intervention Specialist/Special Educator
St. Lawrence County, NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-25-2021 12:48 AM
From: Terry Whitworth
Subject: Teachers getting close to Parents
Do you think it is ok for teachers to text or facebook with parents after work? I always let parents know that they can come to the Director or Owner with any questions. I believe they have gotten use to some of the teachers texting them, they just text teachers or ask them questions on facebook. I do not think this is professional. I know that what teachers do outside of work is their business. One teacher text a parent to see if she was going to bring stuff for a student's party and she told her if she wasn't, she would take care of everything for her party. So this was really nice but we were clueless.
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Terry Whitworth
FCCH Provider & Center Director
Kids Cabin
Cherryville NC
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