Strong Connection Equals Strong Collaboration
S.N.A.P. Coaching Framework
About the S.N.A.P. Method™ : The S.N.A.P. Method™ is a reflective framework created for teachers navigating the real world.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9
Why I Learned to Lead with Connection
I learned early in my career that if I wanted my students to be successful, I couldn’t work in isolation. The classroom might be my daily workspace, but the real magic happens when home and school work together as a team.
In my second year, I decided to do something different. Before the school year even began, I made phone calls to every parent, not to talk about rules, discipline, or missing assignments, but to introduce myself and say:
“I’m here for your child, and I want us to be partners.”
That single decision changed everything. Parents began the year knowing my voice, my heart, and my intentions. The trust we built early made every conversation afterward, whether to celebrate a win or address a challenge, so much easier.
Small Actions, Big Bridges
The calls were just the beginning. I made intentional choices to keep parents connected:
Weekly Newsletters – I shared updates about what students were learning, upcoming events, and ways they could help at home.
Celebration Emails – When a student excelled, I didn’t keep it to myself. I emailed parents: “Your child really shined today!”
Parent Connection Hub – I created a central place for resources, updates, and messages so parents always knew where to find me.
Home Visits – I visited students’ homes when invited, meeting families on their own turf and showing them I valued their space and story.
After-School Activities – I attended games, concerts, and performances, not only to cheer on my students, but to connect casually with parents and guardians in moments that weren’t tied to grades or behavior.
These small actions told families, You’re not just welcome here, you’re essential here.
From Contact to Collaboration
When relationships with parents are strong, problem-solving becomes easier.
A behavior issue? We worked together, not against each other.
A student struggling academically? Parents were quick to partner with me on strategies.
The connection built trust, and trust built collaboration.
I realized something important: Contact is just information. Collaboration is transformation.
To get there, you have to be intentional.
S.N.A.P. for Parent Partnerships
The S.N.A.P. Method™ works beautifully with parents, too:
STOP – Pause before making assumptions about a parent’s involvement.
NOTICE – Look for ways they’re already supporting their child, even if it’s behind the scenes.
ACT – Reach out consistently, not just when there’s a problem.
PLAN – Make communication a predictable routine they can count on.
Start the Year with a First Call That’s About Connection
If you want parents to answer the phone when it is about discipline, you have to first call when it’s not.
That first call should focus on connection, introducing yourself, sharing something positive about their child, and making it clear that you’re on the same team.
Show up for them in more ways than one. Attend an after-school game. Stop by a family’s home when invited. Meet them where they are and let them see that your investment in their child extends beyond the classroom walls.
Because when parents and teachers link arms, the message to the student is powerful: We believe in you, and we’re working together for you.
