http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2006/01/08/the-power-of-dialog-focussing-on-parents/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:39:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2006/01/08/the-power-of-dialog-focussing-on-parents/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Doug Noon Sun, 08 Jan 2006 14:28:17 +0000 http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2006/01/08/the-power-of-dialog-focussing-on-parents/#comment-42 Graham, as a person who has become a victim of my own big mouth with parents more times than I care to remember, I hear you! Recently, I asked my principal how open I should be, and whether he thinks my approach is a problem. He told me that I should do what I do best and be myself. I can say with conviction that having a supportive administrator makes a difference because parents, as you pointed out, frequently don't share our perspective. If we hide behind masks of "professionalism" we may never connect. As a parent sitting through presentations such as you mentioned, I am a hard critic of the teachers who appear guarded and distant. On the other hand, I have to wonder, where did they *learn* to act that way? Must be for a reason. I've worked in a few different schools, and each one has had a different feel to it. I consider myself lucky to have a very supportive community to work in at this time. Good luck with your goal. If you get parents working to support you, that's an important set of allies. Graham, as a person who has become a victim of my own big mouth with parents more times than I care to remember, I hear you! Recently, I asked my principal how open I should be, and whether he thinks my approach is a problem. He told me that I should do what I do best and be myself. I can say with conviction that having a supportive administrator makes a difference because parents, as you pointed out, frequently don’t share our perspective. If we hide behind masks of “professionalism” we may never connect. As a parent sitting through presentations such as you mentioned, I am a hard critic of the teachers who appear guarded and distant. On the other hand, I have to wonder, where did they *learn* to act that way? Must be for a reason. I’ve worked in a few different schools, and each one has had a different feel to it. I consider myself lucky to have a very supportive community to work in at this time. Good luck with your goal. If you get parents working to support you, that’s an important set of allies.

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