Google Voice is a great tool for teachers. You can use your Google Voice number to give out to students and parents instead of giving out your actual cell or home number. This can help you eliminate problems and spam.
Google Voice is free for most calls with inexpensive international calls. You can add Google Voice features to your current phone or create a whole new number (which is what I did).
Some of the really nice features:
- Voicemail transcription - voicemail messages automatically converted to text (and you can have it emailed to you).
- Customized greetings - you can set different voicemail greetings for different callers.
- Call Screening and forwarding - decide which phone rings based on who's calling and you can listen in as someone leaves a message before deciding to answer the call.
- Works with any kind of phone (there are apps for most smartphones too)
Go to the site and explore it and see if it is something you can use.
Other links regarding Google Voice: