EB Portal - School Personnel

Texas School Personnel

Understanding Who Works in Texas Public Schools

As your child begins their journey in Texas public schools, you will meet a variety of school staff other than your child’s teacher. It is important to understand the different roles and responsibilities of each staff member so you know who to ask for help if you have questions or need more information. Each school may be organized a bit differently or use different titles for staff, so the information below serves as general guidance. We recommend contacting your school or district for specific information. Find your district here.Your school’s website may have a list of staff and their titles.

Below are titles and primary responsibilities of different school personnel and some suggested conversation starters to assist you in communicating with them.

Teachers

Campus Support
Staff

Family Resource
Staff

Campus/District
Leadership

Classroom Teacher

Primary Responsibilities

May also be called homeroom teacher or general education teacher. The Teacher delivers instruction by using different strategies to address students’ needs so all students have the opportunity to learn and succeed.

The teacher

prepares all lessons,
grades students’ work,
helps students manage their behavior, and
Communicates with parents about what is going on in class and students’ progress.

Conversation Starters

Please provide me with more information about this assignment/project.
My child is having difficulty with this assignment. How could they get some extra help from you at school?
Please explain why my child has this grade on their assignment/test/report card.
I need help understanding the information sent to me about __. When would be a good time for us to meet?
What are ways I can volunteer at the school or in the classroom?
I’d like to help my child at home with ______. What are some ideas and/or resources that you can recommend?

Bilingual Program Teacher

Primary Responsibilities

May also be called dual-language teacher. The bilingual program teacher is a classroom teacher who is certified to provide bilingual education.

The bilingual program teacher

delivers content area instruction (like science, social studies, reading, and math) in English and in another language and
builds students’ proficiency in both languages

To learn more about bilingual education and the various programs such as dual-language programs, check out the Program Services page.

Conversation Starters

How is my child doing with learning _________ language in your class? What goals have been set for my child this year?
Please provide me with more information about this assignment/project.
My child is having difficulty with this assignment. How could they get some extra help from you at school?
Please explain why my child has this grade on their assignment/test/report card.
I need help understanding the information sent to me about __. When would be a good time for us to meet?
What are ways I can volunteer at the school or in the classroom?
I’d like to help my child at home with ______. What are some ideas and/or resources that you can recommend?

Interventionist

Primary Responsibilities

May also be called reading specialist/teacher, math specialist, or educational specialist. The interventionist is similar to a special education teacher but may work with students who receive special education services and other students who are below grade level and need extra support.

The interventionist

has special training in lesson materials or programs to help students learn and recover specific reading and math skills, and
provides instruction in small groups, in a separate classroom, and at a time when students are not receiving reading, math, science, or social studies instruction from their classroom teacher.

Conversation Starters

My child is struggling with ___. What are some ideas and/or resources that you recommend?
How is my child doing in their intervention? When are you available for an in-person meeting or phone call to discuss this further?
What tests are available to know whether my child would benefit from some extra help? Who has more information about next steps?

Special Education Teacher

Primary Responsibilities

The special education teacher delivers instruction to students who are identified as needing special education.

The special education teacher

teaches in a way that matches students’ learning needs and goals in their individualized education plan (IEP),
may support their students in the classroom while the general education teacher delivers instruction, and
may provide specialized instruction to students in small groups in a different classroom.

Conversation Starters

How is special education instruction different from what students receive in general education? How is it specifically helping my child?
What are my legal rights regarding a special education for my child? Who can refer my child for special education testing?
How can I help my child with reading/math/study skills/homework at home?
What is free and appropriate education (FAPE)? What does that mean for my child?
How will you share my child’s progress on their IEP with me?
My child is being tested to determine whether they qualify for special education services. What tests are given? Please explain the full identification and qualification process to me.
What is a learning disability? Please tell me more about dyslexia/dyscalculia/dysgraphia.

Librarian

Primary Responsibilities

The librarian oversees the school library.

The librarian

helps students check out (borrow) books,
keeps the library organized and filled with a wide selection of books,
encourages students to read and helps them develop a love for reading,
helps students with their research skills for essays or projects, and

Conversation Starters

What are some books you recommend for my child, considering their age, grade level, and interests?
What are some reading and/or writing activities you recommend for home?
How do I get a city public library card? What other city or district activities, events, or free resources can you tell me about?
What are some free audiobooks in languages other than English that you recommend? How can I access those?

School Counselor

Primary Responsibilities

At elementary and middle schools, the counselor supports students’ learning and emotional development. At the high school level, the counselor supports students' education or career goals after graduating.

The counselor

provides counseling sessions with students in school;
supports the overall mental health, well-being, and safety of students; and
offers guidance to parents on many different topics related to learning.
helps high school students apply to colleges, scholarships, or career programs.

Conversation Starters

What campus programs or options are available to support my child’s mental health?
What other counseling options and support are available outside of the school campus?
Please provide more information about other academic options to help my child (like tutoring, intervention, and gifted-and-talented programs).
What is behavioral support?
What are the steps to apply for colleges?

School Nurse

Primary Responsibilities

The nurse is responsible for health services programs and the health needs of students.

The nurse

may offer health education and preventive health resources to families and
connects parents with resources available both on and off campus.

Conversation Starters

Please provide more details about my child’s accident at school.
What programs and health services are available for my child (like hearing, vision, and dental care)? How can I get more information about receiving a referral?
My child takes medicine. I’d like to talk about making sure my child gets their medicine at school when needed.

Parent-Teacher Association

Primary Responsibilities

The PTA is a group of parents, educators, and community members. The PTA works to increase family involvement and improve learning outcomes for students.

Conversation Starters

What is the process to become a member of the PTA?
What does the PTA do?
How can I get involved in activities or organizations at my child’s school? How about in our community?
What problems do we have at our school/community? How can I help?
What are some opportunities to meet other parents in the school community?

Family Support Specialist

Primary Responsibilities

The family support specialist

provides community support,
advocates for students and families, and
helps families support the needs of their child.

Conversation Starters

What information about community resources can you share with me related to support services, transportation, and/or adult classes?
Does the school offer adult education classes like ESL? How can I enroll?
Are there volunteering opportunities on campus? How can I get involved?

Superintendent

Primary Responsibilities

The superintendent is the leader of the school district.

The superintendent

manages all campuses, principals, and district staff hiring.
incorporates school board decisions and policies;
makes district budget decisions;
supports day-to-day operations;
guides long-term planning and vision for the district; and
builds relations with parents, staff, and board members.

Conversation Starters

What are the district’s goals and/or programs?
How can I set up an in-person meeting or phone call to discuss my child’s educational experience at one of your schools?

Principal

Primary Responsibilities

The principal is the leader of the school.

The principal

manages learning and teaching decisions,
hires staff,
supports student behavior decisions,
oversees budgeting,
works on district and campus initiatives, and
builds a community with families, staff, and students.

Conversation Starters

When can we talk about how the school handles discipline and behavioral issues?
How can I schedule a meeting with you to discuss my concerns about my child’s classroom experience?
What are the school’s goals for my child? What additional programs are available for my child?

Assistant Principal

Primary Responsibilities

The assistant principal works alongside the principal, and their role varies depending on the campus and district.

The assistant principal

supports management of the school, its staff, and its teaching and learning;
organizes campus testing; and
supports management of student behavior and support.

Conversation Starters

How does the school handle behavioral issues?
What are the school’s goals for my child? What additional programs are available for my child?
How do I arrange to pick up make-up work for my child?
I think my child needs additional support with ___. How can you help me

Academic Advisor or Dean of Students

Primary Responsibilities

In high school, the counselor (usually called an academic advisor or a dean of students) helps students with their mental well-being and provides academic planning services.

The academic advisor or dean of students

helps students select which classes to take;
helps students stay organized while applying for college, scholarships, and grants;
advises on career choices or postsecondary training; and
helps students ensure that they complete all necessary courses to meet the number of credits required to complete high school

Conversation Starters

What courses does my child need to take? How many credit hours do they need this year?
What support is available to help my child choose what classes to take and understand what classes and credit hours they need to graduate?
My child is interested in college employment military service technical training. What are some options for after high school?
What help is available to my child for college admissions testing, applications for college, and or other training courses?
What are some activities, resources, or involvement opportunities that you recommend for my child so that they are successful in high school? What about after high school?
Who can help my child and me fill out college applications? We’re not sure about accessing the application what is needed to begin the application how to find the application the wording on the application.
Who can help me find options for tuition assistance for college next year?

Understanding Who Works in Texas Public Schools

Teachers

Campus Support Staff

Family Resource Staff

Campus/District Leadership

Primary Responsibilities

Conversation Starters

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Primary Responsibilities

Conversation Starters

Primary Responsibilities

Conversation Starters

Campus Support
Staff

Family Resource
Staff

Campus/District
Leadership