PARENT FEATUREmore difficult for educators and parents to worktogether in an effective and meaningful way.When conflicts arise, shared goals and valuesserve as the foundation for effectively resolvingdisagreements. Rather than viewing conflict as thedestruction of the partnership, conflict should beviewed as an opportunity to discuss desired goalsof the school and of the parents. Create a workableplan to achieve those goals and then to workcollaboratively to reach those goals.Every school has a Procedures Document of whatdo to if conflict arises, who to talk to first, where to goif the issue can’t be resolved there; and where thefinal decisions will be made. It is important to respectand stick-to these procedures. But what thesedocuments don’t talk about is what we should betaking into those conflict meetings.Before attending the meeting, both parties shouldconsider that there will be differences and thatthose difference should be seen as assets tothe partnership in order to grow and achieve!Remember you both have the child and the school’sbest interests at heart. Say to yourself, ‘We are ateam. How can we best manage this?’.Effective partnerships create schools that arewelcoming, encouraging, and supportive of thestrengths of its students. Families that emphasisethe importance of school in their child’s life,and educators that emphasis the importanceof teamwork with families, create a learningenvironment that benefits the child. And, at the endof the day, isn’t that what school is really all about?The best interests of the child!10 PERSONAL ASSETS NEEDED TO COMBATCONFLICT SITUATIONS BETWEEN PARENTS ANDTEACHERS1. Listen: Families and educators need to notjust listen to each others’ perspectives, but totruly hear all the facts and the points of viewssurrounding the situation. Only then can there beunderstanding.2. Sharing: Instead of speaking emotionally, allinformation needs to be shared with each other.This relates to facts, but also to feelings andperceptions. Without information sharing therecannot be understanding.3. Interests: It’s important to seek and findcommon interests. We both have a love for thisschool; we both want to see Byron succeed; weboth love rugby. If we all have an interest in thesethings, how could we not be a team?4. Input: It is important not just to share youropinion but to seek input from the other. Askquestions, gain perspective and see if there isanything you can use from the input your aregiven. You don’t have to know everything and youdon’t always have to be right. For the sake of yourchild, open yourself up to learning.5. Plan development: Talking is just talking, butchange comes about with a plan. Collaborativelydevelop a plan to address the needs of all parties.How are we going to handle this? What is theoutcome we are looking for? How can we achievethis together?6. Decision-making: Understand that whenit comes to a child, no one person (or side,educator or parent) is solely responsible fordecision-making. Educators will make decisionin context of the school and the parent in thecontext of the family. If decisions are madetogether then all parties will be looked-after.7. Expectations: It is difficult to live up toexpectations, especially if you don’t know whatthey are. As parents, let the educators knowwhat you expect from them (communication,understanding, accessibility) and educators letthe parents know what you expect from them(involvement, support, respect).8. Conflict handling: It is okay to feel angrysometimes, but we all need to understand thatthere are positive and negative ways to handleconflict. Choose a positive way and build a strongpartnership with your school.9. Blame: Always refrain from placing blame.Mistakes are made, things happen and it isimportant for all parties to reflect in their role in theconflict (takes a lot of maturity) and to work on theirmanagement of the situation. If you are wrong, beaccountable, apologise and move forward.10. Commitment: At the heart of all parentteacherconflicts lies commitment to success. If weall just understand, and truly believe, that parentsare committed to assisting teachers, and teachersare committed to having your childs best interestsat heart, then we are all committed to gettingthrough conflict for better relationships.38 | Crawford Times
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