Building Bridges: Strengthening Parent-Educator Communication for Student Success w/ Rachel

The ISS EDUlearn AMA podcast explores the latest trends in international education, focusing on professional development, leadership, and innovation in schools worldwide.

In this episode, Rachel Hovington, a passionate advocate for teacher and student agency, discusses the role of communication in fostering collaborative relationships between educators and parents. With extensive experience in international school leadership, Rachel shares insights on building trust, navigating challenging conversations, and strengthening partnerships to support student success. This conversation highlights the importance of active listening, empathy, and professionalism in creating positive school communities.

Quotes from the Episode

• 🗣️ Building Trust with Parents: "Strong relationships with parents start with trust. If they believe you care about their child, they are more likely to listen, collaborate, and support the learning process."
• 🔄 Navigating Challenging Conversations: "When a difficult conversation arises, the first step is to listen—not just to respond, but to understand. Parents want to feel heard before they can engage in a solution."
• 🤝 Fostering Collaboration: "Effective parent-teacher partnerships are built on shared goals. We need to move away from a ‘them vs. us’ mentality and instead ask, ‘How can we work together for the child?’"
• 🧠 Empathy in Communication: "Empathy is at the core of all meaningful communication. Before making assumptions, ask yourself: ‘What’s their perspective, and how can I acknowledge it?’"

Key Insights

• 🎯 Active Listening Matters: Creating space for parents to express their concerns before responding leads to more productive conversations.
• 🏫 Addressing Difficult Topics: Strategies for approaching sensitive discussions with confidence and professionalism.
• 🤲 Partnership Over Conflict: Shifting the mindset from managing parent concerns to working together for student success.
• 📢 Clear and Consistent Communication: Establishing regular, proactive communication helps prevent misunderstandings and builds trust.

Conclusion
This episode offers valuable takeaways for educators, administrators, and school staff looking to strengthen their communication with parents. Rachel’s insights emphasize the importance of empathy, clarity, and collaboration in creating positive school-home relationships that ultimately support student learning and well-being.

📢 Join the Conversation!
Rachel will be leading an upcoming ISS EDUlearn webinar on effective parent-educator communication. The course is now available asynchronously through the ISS EDUlearn Passport or for individual purchase at $125. Sign up now at ISS EDUlearn.