Power of Positive Communication
"Are you kidding?"
"Who is this?"
"Is this a trick?"
I must admit that, as a high school English teacher, every time I hear these questions, I chuckle. I've been teaching for 23 years now, and I can now predict the confusion on the other end of the phone when I call home with praises on that second week of class. By then, I have learned almost all of their names, I know of their favorite flavor of ice cream (one of the introductory questions I like to ask -- it helps me remember names). I now know which student could really benefit from a "good ole' atta-boy."
In reality, I almost HOPE that I don't reach a live person on the other end so that I can leave a message with good news; I understand that gems like these are often saved and replayed again and again and again. I once had a student who videoed the praise to forever capture it on audio.
Understanding My Audience
You see -- I teach English in a comprehensive Career and Technical Center; my students are often covered in masonry dust from their building trades shop, grease from their studies in auto technology, or hair from cosmetology or veterinarian assistant. I am that teacher who gets to sample cookies from restaurant trades. I never need to worry about a sick student passing out in the hallway because a skilled health assistant will be all but happy to escort him or her to the nurses office and conscientiously return to class right away.
...and I have the best job.
Any good teacher would say the same thing, but I REALLY DO have the best job! I take kids who want to make something of themselves in their careers and show them that they CAN read and remember anything from a novel or poem to a welding manual. I help them write in a variety of creative and career-focused,usable modalities.
When our students come to us, many are academically defeated -- often because they are their own worst enemies. Many lack the courage to ask questions, the grit to push through, and the end result: gaps in understanding --hence, the inspiration behind the name of this blog, "Braver, Stronger, Smarter." These are the kids who struggle on standardized test -- or ANY tests, for that matter. They feel stupid. They have almost given up. They SAY, "I'm stupid," but I say, "You may not test well in a classroom that asks you to sit still, be quiet, read & answer questions, and fill out a 50 point test ... yet, but you sure understand the ins-and-outs of your trade...so much more than I do so that I need to pay out of the nose for you to wire my house, fix my car when I back into a mailbox (#truestory), or machine a broken part for me!
Don't get me wrong, I have a ton of "high burners" who simply want to avoid the high costs of post-secondary education by learning a challenging trade. These kiddos are the ones who challenge me because I need to constantly be on my toes during classroom instruction so that I might trigger deeper understanding, and they soak it all up like a sponge. However -- even these high burners have something to learn.
I am blessed to be the teacher of both groups -- the struggling learners and the high burners.
ALL Kids Deserve Praise...When They Earn It
Here's the big picture: All students deserve to be acknowledged for their successes -- not just the ones who find it easy to score well on my test, and I'm not just talking about a sense of an "everybody-gets-ice-cream/good-job-buddy" compliment. I'm talking about something real -- something they did that goes above and beyond their typical habits.
...and I typically pick a handful from each group, the strugglers and high-burners, as my first phone call "victims." It goes something like this:
The Results?
On the next day, be prepared to receive a bashful grin when Sammy enters class. Be ready to respond to the others, "Yes -- I'll call your parents, too...as soon as you do something awesome in class, just like Sammy."
Also -- be prepared to feel really great about making a positive connection -- maybe the first positive connection these parents have felt with school in a long, long time, and be prepared to have a student try just a little more to do his or her very best.
Keep It Up
These phone calls don't need to be a one-time-only occurrence. You might consider giving them a head's up next time by saying, "I can't wait to call your grandmother and tell her what a good day you had!" (Aguilar). The good call home can be a powerful tool as you reward the efforts of every kiddo!
Turning the Tables
ps. The tables were once turned on me as I was called into the principal's office. I sat down wondering what the heck was going on -- heart pounding -- stone-faced, as he told me, "You need to hear the message I got from a parent about you." He finally cracked a smile as I heard the parent's voice filled with praise and appreciation for my efforts with her daughter -- how this was one of the first times she's ever had a phone call with good news from the school. She had actually seen that it was the school calling and didn't pick up the phone to avoid the news, but after she heard the message I left, she called her husband to listen and then replayed it in front of my student and her other brothers and sisters so they could hear, too. He told me, "We need more teachers like you. Thank you." There truly IS power in positivity.
Carolyn McVicker-Shaffer has taught high school English since 1996. She also teaches Speech at the local community college and graduate courses in Reading at Westminster College.
She coaches the Opening and Closing Team, a public speaking team, for her high school's chapter of SkillsUSA, and has led them to several state championships and a national bronze medal.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading and eternally training her three-year old Saint Bernard, Chewbacca. She currently lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband, Pete. She is the proud "Mamma" of a fabulous daughter, "Princess Megan of California."
Aguilar, Elena. “The Power of the Positive Phone Call Home.” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 7 Aug. 2015, www.edutopia.org/blog/power-positive-phone-call-home-elena-aguilar.
“The Power of a Positive Phone Call Home.” PBIS Rewards, Motivating Systems, LLC, 20 Dec. 2017, www.pbisrewards.com/blog/positive-phone-call-home/.
"Who is this?"
"Is this a trick?"
I must admit that, as a high school English teacher, every time I hear these questions, I chuckle. I've been teaching for 23 years now, and I can now predict the confusion on the other end of the phone when I call home with praises on that second week of class. By then, I have learned almost all of their names, I know of their favorite flavor of ice cream (one of the introductory questions I like to ask -- it helps me remember names). I now know which student could really benefit from a "good ole' atta-boy."
 |
| Image 1: “Making a Phone Call.” PBIS Rewards, Motivating Systems, LLC, 2018, www.pbisrewards.com/blog/positive-phone-call-home/. Taking the time to make a positive phone call home at the beginning of the year, BEFORE there is a problem later on, can really establish a genuine partnership between parents/guardians and the classroom. |
In reality, I almost HOPE that I don't reach a live person on the other end so that I can leave a message with good news; I understand that gems like these are often saved and replayed again and again and again. I once had a student who videoed the praise to forever capture it on audio.
Understanding My Audience
You see -- I teach English in a comprehensive Career and Technical Center; my students are often covered in masonry dust from their building trades shop, grease from their studies in auto technology, or hair from cosmetology or veterinarian assistant. I am that teacher who gets to sample cookies from restaurant trades. I never need to worry about a sick student passing out in the hallway because a skilled health assistant will be all but happy to escort him or her to the nurses office and conscientiously return to class right away.
...and I have the best job.
Any good teacher would say the same thing, but I REALLY DO have the best job! I take kids who want to make something of themselves in their careers and show them that they CAN read and remember anything from a novel or poem to a welding manual. I help them write in a variety of creative and career-focused,usable modalities.
When our students come to us, many are academically defeated -- often because they are their own worst enemies. Many lack the courage to ask questions, the grit to push through, and the end result: gaps in understanding --hence, the inspiration behind the name of this blog, "Braver, Stronger, Smarter." These are the kids who struggle on standardized test -- or ANY tests, for that matter. They feel stupid. They have almost given up. They SAY, "I'm stupid," but I say, "You may not test well in a classroom that asks you to sit still, be quiet, read & answer questions, and fill out a 50 point test ... yet, but you sure understand the ins-and-outs of your trade...so much more than I do so that I need to pay out of the nose for you to wire my house, fix my car when I back into a mailbox (#truestory), or machine a broken part for me!
Don't get me wrong, I have a ton of "high burners" who simply want to avoid the high costs of post-secondary education by learning a challenging trade. These kiddos are the ones who challenge me because I need to constantly be on my toes during classroom instruction so that I might trigger deeper understanding, and they soak it all up like a sponge. However -- even these high burners have something to learn.
I am blessed to be the teacher of both groups -- the struggling learners and the high burners.
ALL Kids Deserve Praise...When They Earn It
Here's the big picture: All students deserve to be acknowledged for their successes -- not just the ones who find it easy to score well on my test, and I'm not just talking about a sense of an "everybody-gets-ice-cream/good-job-buddy" compliment. I'm talking about something real -- something they did that goes above and beyond their typical habits.
...and I typically pick a handful from each group, the strugglers and high-burners, as my first phone call "victims." It goes something like this:
- "Hello -- could I speak to a parent or guardian of Sammy Jones?
- "Wonderful! I'm calling to let you know that Sammy was a 'rockstar' in class today. Any time I needed help passing out papers or collecting highlighters, Sammy was up, ready to lend a hand, and I really wanted to let you know how much I appreciated the help. (Okay -- so maybe Sammy was "volunteered" to help, but I don't need to say THAT part.)
- "Yes -- it really happened, AND another thing; the worksheet we completed in class today -- it was really great -- lots of thought went into it. I can really tell that Sammy is going to have a great year. (Again -- maybe Sammy needed a little prompting to focus and dig a little deeper...) I'm going to really enjoy putting that perfect score in the online grade book; by the way did you know you can look at Sammy's grades online...(I may have just encouraged this parent or guardian to check up on Sammy's grades -- a blessing to have parental support when there is a missing assignment or a struggling score).
- "Yes -- I'm an English teacher... Yes, I'm Lyn McVicker... Yes -- I'm really am a teacher... It's my pleasure. Well -- I don't know how Sammy has done in the past, but this year, he's off to a great start! Feel free to contact me; email is best, if you can... You're very welcome... Have a great day!" ("Power") (...and I hang up the phone with a bit of a smile to repeat the call to about five more like that.)
 |
Getting ready to make a few phone calls to unsuspecting parents...I suggest that you have scores and attendance at your fingertips so you can quickly answer specific questions. Maybe your student hasn't turned in all work last week, but it's Monday and he or she has really gotten off to a great start. That's praise-worthy! Whenever I can, I counter a negative with a positive; this way, I am demonstrating a partnership with the parents -- that I'm willing to work together to encourage the kiddo to be his or her best. |
On the next day, be prepared to receive a bashful grin when Sammy enters class. Be ready to respond to the others, "Yes -- I'll call your parents, too...as soon as you do something awesome in class, just like Sammy."
Also -- be prepared to feel really great about making a positive connection -- maybe the first positive connection these parents have felt with school in a long, long time, and be prepared to have a student try just a little more to do his or her very best.
Keep It Up
These phone calls don't need to be a one-time-only occurrence. You might consider giving them a head's up next time by saying, "I can't wait to call your grandmother and tell her what a good day you had!" (Aguilar). The good call home can be a powerful tool as you reward the efforts of every kiddo!
 |
| Taking a moment to pass on some love because Chewbacca heard my voice on the phone and thought I was praising him, too! |
ps. The tables were once turned on me as I was called into the principal's office. I sat down wondering what the heck was going on -- heart pounding -- stone-faced, as he told me, "You need to hear the message I got from a parent about you." He finally cracked a smile as I heard the parent's voice filled with praise and appreciation for my efforts with her daughter -- how this was one of the first times she's ever had a phone call with good news from the school. She had actually seen that it was the school calling and didn't pick up the phone to avoid the news, but after she heard the message I left, she called her husband to listen and then replayed it in front of my student and her other brothers and sisters so they could hear, too. He told me, "We need more teachers like you. Thank you." There truly IS power in positivity.
--------------------------------------------
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| Follow her on LinkedIn! Carolyn McVicker-Shaffer |
She coaches the Opening and Closing Team, a public speaking team, for her high school's chapter of SkillsUSA, and has led them to several state championships and a national bronze medal.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading and eternally training her three-year old Saint Bernard, Chewbacca. She currently lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband, Pete. She is the proud "Mamma" of a fabulous daughter, "Princess Megan of California."
....
Resources: Aguilar, Elena. “The Power of the Positive Phone Call Home.” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 7 Aug. 2015, www.edutopia.org/blog/power-positive-phone-call-home-elena-aguilar.
“The Power of a Positive Phone Call Home.” PBIS Rewards, Motivating Systems, LLC, 20 Dec. 2017, www.pbisrewards.com/blog/positive-phone-call-home/.
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