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In these traumatic and pandemic times, there are many conversations to be had with frustrated parents. How school leaders structure the conversations can make all the difference. A restorative mindset allows leaders and school staff to prepare for the inevitable difficult conversations with parents, ask non-blaming questions during the conversation and follow up on any actions arising from the conversation.
Restorative practice suggestions:
1.As a school leader, give yourself the grace to see that you don’t have to have all the answers.
2.Know when to step back from a conversation with parents in order to manage your own stress levels.
3. Check in with staff to find out how they are coping.
4. Prepare for the conversations beforehand with the restorative questions.
5.Reflect on the conversations afterwards by asking yourself things like:
- How did that conversation go?
- What was I thinking at the time? And since then?
- How did that impact me and the parents?
- What was the hardest thing for me? For the parents?
- What do I think I need to do to have the most successful conversation possible?
Order Steve’s book The Restorative Principal Leading in Education with Restorative Practices
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