Remember Positive Feedback and Advocacy in Schools

It’s common knowledge that the education system is touch and go. No matter what tax bracket you’re in, it’s no given that if you decide to attend the neighborhood school, your child will end up with an awesome experience (true for private school as well). That being said, it’s still very important to remember that parents play a critical role in advocating for the needs of their student and all students in a meaningful and respectful way.  In doing this, we must remember that the edspace is not an easy profession and many of those employed by it, do so because they love it (or at one point did, which is another blog post for later).  Teachers face many challenges outside of their control when attempting to educate our children and that should be supported by parents with a hands on approach at home. You shouldn’t expect your child to get everything they need to be lifelong learners solely from their school.  As difficult as it actually is to run a classroom, we never consider the difficulty in keeping an entire school running and in order.  Good leadership goes a long way and positive feedback loops actually serve to continue the school’s move in a positive direction.

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Much of the media discussion around education focuses on the classroom teachers- how teachers lack the support of their administration; how teachers are facing burnout at high rates; or how teachers are completely failing our students. We hear about the “administration” in more shadowy terms, magical wizards of destructions mandating the demise of our future citizens and thinkers: “school administration”, the school board, the superintendent, the Department of Education.   We rarely focus on the importance of the middle men and women out there balancing the needs of teachers, students and communities- the principals.  

Depending on the district, principals have a myriad of responsibilities. They balance budgets and have their hand in staffing; but also manage the upfront and human responsibilities like PR, parent complaints, teacher demands and student concerns.  When your kid acts up or there is a school wide issue, your principal will communicate with you via email, phone, conference or information session.  Principals troubleshoot and receive lots of feedback on how to make improvements in the school all the time.  Some of the feedback is implemented easily and quickly, where other suggestions may take an entire school year to put into action.  

A vocal parent is a good parent… sometimes.  Partnerships between parents and the school is essential for driving change in school communities. Here are a few tips and suggestions for parents who want to see change in their school:

• Get to know your principal. If they’re standing outside the school just say hi.  You don’t have to be besties or introduce yourself, just be friendly. They may remember you; they may not depending on the size of the school and how much is going on. Don’t be offended if they don’t. What’s most important is that you’re a consistent, friendly face.
  
• Be the bearer of good news; advocacy can be positive.   Do you ever mention the good that happens in your class?  Don’t just bring what’s wrong to the table. Bring what’s right. If you’re a vocal and active parent, share the good.  Principals and teachers want to know what is working and what is going well. The litmus can’t always be negative.  Maybe the tested something new. If they hear no feedback, it may mean (to the school) that it did not work.  Speak up!
  
• No one is a cyborg yet; respect the person.  Principals and teachers are people just like you and me.  Many of them have families.  Don’t assume that they don’t see your perspective. Many do but for professional reasons must think of how decisions and policies affect the overall school community.  Just as you might not sacrifice your rules at home for one of your children’s happiness, good principals will consider the same dilemma. The school community’s integrity and safety come first. 
  
• Witch hunts can be fun but are never cool. We’ve all witnessed when a parent’s emotions have gotten the best of them and their after a teacher, staff or administrator like an enraged executioner on Bastille Day 1789. Yes, bad decisions are made all the time, but practical solutions are far more productive than highly volatile emotional ones.  Teamwork makes the dream work and active listening is better than emotionally charged accusations. 
  
• Don’t be a Debbie Downer. If your principal and teachers are making real efforts to make positive changes, figure out how you can support that. Don’t poison the lake on purpose; negativity is easier to spread than positivity. If your principal makes massive changes that you don’t agree with, go in and discuss with them their philosophy and vision before making an assumption. See if there is a way for parents to support the new changes. Change in not easy but sometimes its necessary.
  
• Put up or shut up…seriously.  Being a former athlete, I never liked teammates or coaches that had lots to say but never backed it up with anything relevant.  If you’re going to solicit negative advice, make sure that you’re actively involved in the PTA/PTO and you’ve volunteered in a classroom or chaperoned a field trip.  Don’t bring your degrees or what you’ve read to the table as evidence that you know what you’re talking about. I also want to add that one time volunteering or multiple volunteering does not provide you an “in” to trash your school, teachers or administration.  Be respectful and share your opinions when appropriate.

When something is broken it should be fixed. Vocalize that in a productive manner.  It’s critical that parents do their research, advocate for their child’s needs and become invested and active partners in their child’s learning at home and at school. This is two fold- positive feedback and constructive criticism. Write to the principal to advocate for the schooling and experiences that transformed your child’s learning.  Constructive criticism is great, but don’t forget to give your principal and teacher a high-five every now and then during the school year.  I mean, who really wants to get frowny-face stickers on their paper all the time...   I’m sure they’ll appreciate a bit of positive feedback once in a while. 



Read more on the blog about education!
Dear Teachers 
Be a Chaperone!
Project Based Learning: Garbage Doll Assemblage
Why Writing Prompts Are Great For Kids

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Disclaimer: NONE OF THESE IMAGES ARE MINE.