Hi Everyone! It's Beth from Confessions of a Frazzled Teacher. I wanted my first post to be something fun and exciting but then I thought a practical tip would be much more useful during these difficult times - How to Call/Text Parents WITHOUT Giving Them Your Phone Number!

Since I have been teaching from home, I needed a way to contact parents. I definitely do not want all of the families to have my personal phone number, so I researched different options. There is the old trick of *67 but that prohibits parents from contacting you back when they don't answer the phone. 

Here's What I Found Instead...

1. Go to Google Voice.
2. Click Continue to accept the terms of use.
3. Find a phone number. I found that putting in an area code first makes it easier to find a number than using your zip code or area code.
4. Select the number you would like to use.
5. You will need to verify your personal number using a text code. Once you do this, you are set-up.
6. Now you can make calls online.

1. Download the Google Voice app.
2. Log into your Google account. It will already have saved your phone number this way.
3. Decide how you want to use your new phone number. For example, I have mine linked to my phone number so it will ring this way.
4. Try it out!

Since I linked this to my phone, I now can choose when I dial which number to use. When someone calls me, they say their name and I can choose to answer them or they can leave a voicemail. Bonus...the voicemail transcribes itself so you have a record!

I hope this helps you with Distance Learning. If you would like more resources to help you during this time or just want more ways of becoming a less frazzled teacher, check out my blog or find me on Facebook or Instagram! 

Have a great day,
Beth

by Confessions of a Frazzled Teacher