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'Partnering with parents is a missing link in efforts to improve student achievement. This book offers teachers specific and practical suggestions to capitalize on this extraordinary untapped resource.'—David Freitas, Professor of Education Indiana University, South BendWatch performance levels climb when students are supported by teachers, families, and the community! Emphasizing that students learn best when families and schools work together to promote student achievement, What Successful Schools Do to Involve Families offers teachers and administrators 55 practical strategies for forming effective partnerships with every type of family group. From traditional forms of communication—such as open houses, parent-teacher conferences, and fundraising efforts—to hot-button topics such as bullying and discipline, this book helps educators bridge the gap between school and home by providing:Solidly researched strategies with relevant how-to applications, tips, precautions, and additional resourcesStrategies for reaching out to non-mainstream or non-traditional families A chapter on the role of non-parental caregiversProven methods for including families in discussions about homework, literacy, mathematics, and students with special needsNurture academic success and resiliency in students by strengthening the bond between families, educators, and the outside community!

'As the authors so aptly suggest, good teaching is more a journey than a destination. This book will help both mentors and teachers to navigate this journey successfully.'Stephen Sroka, Health Education ConsultantsCase Western Reserve University'What a great book to provide for all veteran teachers so that when we are chatting in the lunchroom and ′new′ teachers share a dilemma, anyone on staff can chime in with advice, backed by research and experience.'Diane Mierzwik, Teacher and MentorParkview Middle School, Yucaipa, CA'What Successful Mentors Do is easy to use, linked to best practices and is certain to be an invaluable resource for new and returning mentors.'Theresa Ford, Developer/ConsultantEducational Testing Service, Downey, CA Be the best mentor you can be with these state-of-the-art strategies! The first-day jitters. The first encounter with an angry parent. The first performance review. As a seasoned teacher, you remember each of these'firsts.'But how can you relate your experiences to a new teacher? Find answers to these questions and the research to back them up in this tool-packed guide. What Successful Mentors Do offers sensible strategies to help mentors help new teachers. Using state-of-the art research as a bas, the authors provide 81 ways to put those'firsts'in perspective for your new teachers. Working from decades of experience, the authors synthesize theory and practice to show mentors how to: Increase new-teacher retention with the surest methods for classroom success Encourage teachers in ten essential areas of teaching, from using assessment tools to developing a personal teaching style, and more Guide teachers in their relationships with colleagues, parents, and administrators Improve their own mentoring approach and develop a mentoring style Avoid common mentoring pitfalls Sometimes life teaches us the lessons we need to grow. Other times, a trusted mentor prepares us for the challenges and guides us to success.