Crucial Conversations

A key component in education today is our ability as classroom teachers, administrators or central office staff to effectively communicate with parents, students, colleagues and community members about the situations, needs and challenges that are a part of education.  Discussing student needs during an IEP meeting, RTI planning session or parent conference; engaging a student in a conversation regarding their actions or options; providing performance feedback to a colleague, discussing tough questions with school committee members or addressing school challenges with communityi members--all require key skills and strategies during such high stakes exchanges.  Participants will learn strategies and gain skills in mastering crucial conversations, creating safe and supportive conversations, stopping the blame game, disentangling intent from impact, developing learning conversations, problem solving and speaking for yourself with clarity and power.