Michael Thompson, Ph.D.

Hopes and Fears: Working With Today’s Independent School Parents

Abstract

Over the last twenty years parents have grown increasingly anxious and eager to be involved in their child’s school life.  They are more in contact with teachers than ever, often with specific (and unreasonable) requests, sometimes with general anxiety about their child’s development.  Teachers are not generally trained to work with adults or manage conflict with parents.  Drawing on the “Basic Toolkit” and the “Advanced Toolkit” from his book with Rob Evans, Ed.D. Dr. Thompson’s workshop gives teachers ways to understand parents better and offers concrete strategies for problem-solving and improving parent-teacher communication.