Dear Teachers,
I hope this blog post finds you all in high spirits, navigating the thrilling rollercoaster that is our teaching profession! π’ Today, I want to share a light-hearted anecdote that, I believe, many of you can resonate with, followed by a solution that has personally revolutionised the way I manage my workload.
Imagine, if you will, a typical Thursday afternoon: I'm juggling lesson planning, rearranging seating plans for the nth time, and mentally preparing for my next lesson of Year 7 or 8 . Amidst this symphony of tasks, up pops another email with a reminder about the importance of parent-teacher communication and then another email reminding me of another Inset coming up where the message is "We need to enhance our communication with parents - let's make more phone calls home!" π My heart sinks. Not because I don't value engaging with our students' parents - I truly do - but because the thought of finding extra minutes in my already overstretched day seems as likely as discovering a unicorn in the staffroom. βπ¦
The traditional phone call routine feels like a quest for the Holy Grail. Searching for the correct contact numbers on SIMS, finding an available phone, and then engaging in the eternal wait for someone to pick up, only to often end up hearing it ring out. And let's not forget the times when a simple update turns into a 30-minute conversation about anything but the student or incident concerned.
Enter Mote: Mote is an innovative tool that allows us to record voice messages and share them via email or even better, ParentMail. Picture this: recording a personalised, concise, impactful message in 90 seconds that can be sent directly to the parents. It saves the hunt for phone numbers, the wait by the phone, and the potential for lengthy, off-topic conversations. Yet, it still keeps the communication personal and meaningful. How about a message that summarises what we've done in a week and addresses positive praise at the majority of the class in one swoop?
By using Mote, I can convey the warmth and personal touch of a phone call without the logistical nightmares. I've been able to send messages using generic terms like "son" or "daughter," making it possible to address multiple parents in one go. The efficiency gains are astronomical, and for the cost of a fancy coffee each month, the return on investment is through the roof. ββ‘οΈπ
I highly recommend giving Mote a try. It's not just about saving time; it's about enhancing our communication with parents in a way that respects our time and theirs. Let's embrace this opportunity to streamline our workload and make our interactions with parents more effective and heartfelt.
Here's to more breathing room in our schedules and to making every second count!
Warmest regards, Georg
P.S. If you're interested in giving Mote a whirl, let's chat! I'm more than happy to share tips and tricks for getting the most out of this fantastic tool. π
P.P.S. I'm not on commission, but here's a promo video and then a link for getting the Chrome extension!
Chrome Extension LINK HERE