An all-new chapter on the role that social media can play in i
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"Dealing with Difficult Parents is the ultimate how-to guide for navigating the often rough seas of parental communication. Whitaker and Fiore not only provide real-world advice designed to proactively create positive teacher-parent relationships, but also offer powerful and specific strategies for remaining professional and effective even in the face of the most difficult circumstances teachers are likely to encounter."--Dave Burgess, President, Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. and New York Times bestselling author of Teach Like a PIRATE
"In this updated reboot, Whitaker and Fiore provide both practical and relevant strategies for engaging and connecting with parents, even the most difficult! Today’s parents are different and the landscape continues to evolve, and because of that we need to constantly update our playbook. This book couldn’t come at a better time, and the ideas and principles can be enacted the very next day. The authors take a complex and often difficult topic and break it down into manageable chunks to ensure educators walk away with sage advice that is both proven and tried."--Dr. Justin Tarte, Director of Teaching and Learning,Union R-XI School District, Union, Missouri
"Often, teachers worry about how they will interact with students and overlook the fact that interacting with parents is a large part of the job, too. By reading this book, teachers will learn how to respond appropriately when speaking with parents. I especially enjoyed the chapter, 'What if the Parent is Right?'; it shows how teachers sometimes have to swallow their pride and move on. Learning how to deal with difficult parents is a very important tool in a teacher's toolbox, and Whitaker and Fiore really hit the nail on the head!" --Rebecca Thompson, 6th Grade Math Teacher and Department Chair, Tomahawk Creek Middle School, Midlothian, Virginia
"The most challenging part of every teacher's job just may be dealing with difficult parents, which is why every teacher new or veteran needs a copy of this book! Todd Whitaker has provided teachers with an essential resource once again! You'll find tips and solutions to handling those troublesome situations with confidence." --Kristin Wilson, 5th Grade Teacher, Grande Park Elementary, Plainfield, Illinois
Table of Contents
About the Authors
Preface
Introduction to the 2nd Edition
1. Dealing with Difficult Parents: An Overview
Part I: Today’s Parents
2. Who Are These Guys?: Describing Today’s Parents
3. What’s Wrong with These Parents Anyway?
Part II: Communicating with Parents
4. Building Credibility: Everyone Wants to Associate with a Winner
5. Taking Your Classroom Social
6. Positive Communication with Parents: An Ounce of Prevention
7. Listen, Learn, and Cultivate
Part III: Soothing the Savage Beast
8. Initiating Contact with Parents
9. Never Let ‘Em See You Sweat
10. What If The Parent Is Right?
11. The Best Way to Get In the Last Word…
12. Do You Feel Defensive? If So, Something Is Wrong
Part IV: Dealing with Parents in Difficult Situations
13. Delivering Bad News
14. But I Did Get a Good Deal: Examining the Car Salesman
15. What If They Use the "F" Word – Fair?
16. Focus on the Future
Part V: Increasing Parental Involvement
17. Understanding Parent Involvement
18. Increasing Parental Involvement at School
19. Increasing Parent Involvement at Home
Parting Thoughts
References
