Communication – Page 2 – Happy Schools

Saying ‘No’ to Avoid Overload

August 3, 2023

Most staff who work in schools, like helping others. Many of us are people pleasers and we find it difficult to say ‘no’ to someone who is seeking our assistance. At times, to stay on track you just have to say ‘no’. Try using these strategies for saying ‘no’ to other people’s requests and still keep your reputation intact. Defer – I’m not able to assist you at this time. I will be able to help you at a later date. This will filter out those who don’t follow up. Refer – Offer to connect them with someone who is better placed to help them or to some resources that would help them solve it themselves. Commitment – Share your…

Working with Helicopter Parents

June 8, 2023

Stevef

Communication

Dealing with overprotective parents can be challenging. While it is understandable that parents want to ensure the safety and well-being of their children, it can sometimes lead to micromanagement and overprotective parenting that has become known as helicopter parenting. According to author Hara Estroff Marano, “Today’s parents are not just helicopter parents…they are jet-powered turbo attack models.” Here are some tips on how to handle such parents. Set clear boundaries: As a teacher, it is important to establish boundaries with parents early on. Clearly communicate what your expectations are for parent-teacher communication and involvement in the classroom. This includes advising them of the best way to contact you, setting reasonable expectations about response times and specifying when it is appropriate…

The Impact of Positive Relationships

May 18, 2023

Stevef

Communication

Staff in schools spend a significant portion of their time interacting with students, colleagues and parents. The relationships you have with these individuals has a major impact on your well-being and your ability to perform your job effectively. Positive relationships can provide support, encouragement and most importantly, a sense of belonging. These traits contribute to better mental and emotional health. On the other hand, negative relationships are stressful, draining and can lead to burnout. One of the most important ways to cultivate positive relationships is through effective communication. This starts with actively listening to others. Often we are so busy in schools, rushing from one class to another, or one issue to the next, that we can be guilty of…

Managing Upwards

April 13, 2023

Stevef

Communication

A recent poll of one million workers showed that the number one reason people quit their jobs is a bad boss. So what do you do if you have a supervisor you are unhappy with? You can leave or become miserable and make their life hell, but you can also attempt to influence positive change. The challenge is how to manage upwards. Here are six ways you can develop a more positive working relationship with your line manager. Get to know them. Look for opportunities to get to know them and build more of a relationship with them. Find out what is important to them in their personal life – perhaps their children or a passion they have. Building rapport helps to…

Can Kids Count on You?

March 23, 2023

Stevef

Communication

Do you have the trust of those you teach? The bottom line and absolute truth is that humans — whether adults or children — don’t learn if we don’t trust. Children easily vibe when adults lack trust with each other and they aren’t blind to the hypocrisy of those same adults telling them to trust their teachers and fellow students.That said, trust is not a given. It has to be earned. According to educational consultant and author of Trust Matters, Megan Tschannen-Moran, in a hierarchal relationship, those in power — teachers, in the case of the classroom — are responsible for building trust. Keep it Real Sure, mix it up and add a few new slogans to your repertoire of…

Efficient Email

March 16, 2023

Stevef

Communication

Email is meant to make our lives easier and improve our communication by being fast, easy to use and ‘stockpiling’ messages for when WE are ready to read them. However, we are all too aware of the downsides of email as well. Email creates a sense of urgency and immediacy. We assume that other people have read our email almost as soon as it has been sent. We expect a quick reply and become frustrated when we don’t receive a timely response. As well as this feeling of frustration, this immediacy can also hijack our predetermined priorities. An incoming email is not just another task added to our ‘To Do’ list, it becomes THE task that I need to do…

Successful Parent Information Sessions

February 2, 2023

Stevef

Behaviour Management

Parent information sessions are often the first point of contact between parents and teachers. They present a unique opportunity for teachers to showcase their own strengths and those of the school. Maximising this opportunity can improve the quality of communication and cooperation between parents and school staff. This can set us up for success throughout the entire year by building solid working relationships with parents, enhancing the professional image of the teacher, showcasing the school as a well-organised and high quality learning environment and demonstrating the teacher’s commitment and enthusiasm. Many teachers present confidently in front of their students but are nervous about presenting to adults. It’s important to be clear on your intentions for the session and to think…

The Unwritten Ground Rules (UGR’s)

July 28, 2022

Stevef

Communication

I have read many articles and books over the years that have focused on the concept of an organisational culture. For many years I passed the concept off as an academic one that had little practical application in the workforce. During that period however, I remained confused. As a consultant, going into various organisations, I could ‘feel’ the culture. In one organisation there would be a positive, upbeat feel to it. In another, there was a little tension in the air. In another, you could cut the air with a knife! The confusion I felt centred on recognition that culture played a fundamental role in every organisation. Yet I could not understand it in simple or practical terms. That remained…

How to Work SMARTER and not HARDER with Email

July 21, 2022

Stevef

Communication

One of the challenges facing staff in schools is the volume of email received. Whilst we all want to be responsive to our colleagues, parents and connections, it can be challenging to find the right balance between managing email AND getting your work done! If you have ever gone home at night feeling like you have done nothing all day except respond to other people’s emails, then maybe it is time you sent out an Email S.O.S! What is Email SOS? It’s a simple strategy to help you reduce the volume of email you receive, enabling you to increase your productivity by strategically focusing on how you use your time. Share these simple strategies at your school and you’ll find…

People Management Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

July 14, 2022

Stevef

Communication

Here are five common pitfalls of people management to avoid. Being too busy to touch base. It is easy to forget the importance of touching base with other team members. Speaking regularly with our colleagues is one of the most important things we can do. Human beings are social animals. Genuinely asking ‘How are you going?’, thanking them for their efforts and laughing with your team mates, are all important parts of team well-being. Not communicating expectations. In sharing the load and working well in teams, it is important to clearly communicate our key expectations of each other. One staff member I know has three key expectations of her colleagues – that they are reliable, responsible and respectful. What are…