Learn how to communicate effectively with your students and their parents, and avoid misunderstandings or conflicts caused by mixed messages.

To me, what always holds value towards resolving mixed communication is to bring in effectiveness in communications This means, bringing in clarity to both the parent and the student and having a communication with clarity in respect of what has been set as a process and how it would be monitored clearly focused on the desired outcomes Confusion or ambiguities are bound to come when one has to deal with many students however the key always is in being specific and avoid any kind of generalisation in discussions Every parent is interested in the progress of their children or student and so is the case with students who are keen to have feedback for them to improve upon!

How can you resolve mixed messages from parents and students?

As a teacher, you want to have a positive and productive relationship with your students and their parents. However, sometimes you may encounter situations where the information or feedback you receive from one party does not match the other. For example, a parent may tell you that their child is struggling with a certain subject, but the student may say that they are doing fine. Or, a student may complain that you are unfair or too strict, but the parent may praise your teaching style. How can you resolve these mixed messages and avoid misunderstandings or conflicts? Here are some tips to help you communicate effectively with both parents and students.

1 Clarify expectations

One of the first steps to resolving mixed messages is to clarify your expectations and goals for the students and the parents. You can do this by sharing your syllabus, grading policy, homework guidelines, and other important information at the beginning of the school year or term. You can also send regular updates and reminders via email, newsletters, or online platforms. Make sure that both parents and students understand what you expect from them and what they can expect from you. If you notice any discrepancies or confusion, address them as soon as possible and provide clarification or examples.

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Vivek Khandelwal

LinkedIn Community Top Voice | CXO | Mentoring Career Aspirants & Workplace Professionals | Speaker | Culture & Skill Mentor | LinkedIn Growth Specialist | India's Top 35 Mentors Niti Aayog | Content Creator | Writer
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To me, what always holds value towards resolving mixed communication is to bring in effectiveness in communications This means, bringing in clarity to both the parent and the student and having a communication with clarity in respect of what has been set as a process and how it would be monitored clearly focused on the desired outcomes Confusion or ambiguities are bound to come when one has to deal with many students however the key always is in being specific and avoid any kind of generalisation in discussions Every parent is interested in the progress of their children or student and so is the case with students who are keen to have feedback for them to improve upon!

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2 Listen actively

Another key skill to communicate effectively is to listen actively to both parents and students. This means that you pay attention to what they are saying, show empathy and respect, ask open-ended questions, and paraphrase or summarize what you heard. Listening actively can help you understand the perspectives and feelings of both parties, identify the source of the mixed messages, and avoid assumptions or judgments. For example, if a parent tells you that their child is bored or unmotivated in your class, you can ask them to elaborate on why they think so, how their child expresses their boredom or lack of motivation, and what they suggest to improve the situation. You can also listen to the student and ask them how they feel about the class, what they enjoy or dislike, and what they need to succeed.

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3 Provide feedback

Another way to resolve mixed messages is to provide constructive and consistent feedback to both parents and students. Feedback is essential for learning and improvement, but it can also be a source of misunderstanding or conflict if it is not delivered or received well. Therefore, you need to be clear, specific, positive, and timely when you give feedback. You also need to balance praise and criticism, and focus on the behavior or performance, not the person. For example, instead of saying "You are a bad writer", you can say "Your writing needs more organization and coherence". You also need to encourage both parents and students to give you feedback on your teaching and communication, and be open to suggestions or complaints.

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4 Collaborate and compromise

Finally, to resolve mixed messages, you need to collaborate and compromise with both parents and students. You need to recognize that you are all on the same team, and that you share the same goal of helping the student achieve their potential. You also need to respect the different roles and responsibilities that each party has, and acknowledge their strengths and challenges. You need to communicate regularly and honestly, and seek solutions that benefit everyone. For example, if a student is having difficulty with a certain assignment or project, you can work with the parent and the student to find a way to modify it, extend the deadline, or provide extra support.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you resolve mixed messages from parents and students?

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1 Clarify expectations

2 Listen actively

3 Provide feedback

4 Collaborate and compromise

5 Here’s what else to consider

Parent-Teacher Communication

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