Gmail in the Classroom

I use gmail in my classroom on a daily basis.  This communication tool is valuable in order to connect with students, parents, co-workers, and administrators.  Gmail allows me the opportunity to keep track of communication with parents and label them accordingly.  Having a record of communication is important for numerous reasons.  Gmail also allows me to send group messages to my classes by creating a special "group" in my contacts.  This saves me a lot of time when emailing an entire class.  The ability to quickly and efficiently communicate with my administrators and co-workers is a necessity of the job in today's age.  The ability to chat with my colleagues quickly about a student, schedule, etc. is very handy.  I also enjoy the capability of being able to check my gmail on my phone when I am away from my desk.  This helps me stay connected with important information even when I'm not at school.