Sunday, February 13, 2011

Communicating Expertise

I had a situation with a parent in which I didn't think the parent was knowledgeable about my expertise. They asked for my expertise, and then treated the feedback as though it was from a peer.
My question is how does a teacher communicate their expertise and still maintain a posture of openness.
I have erred on the side of not communicating my accolades. I am reconsidering this.
How do parents perceive teachers who put their degrees on the wall? Would a parent be interested in a posting of my vitae on line? Do parents need to see my academic surtitle? Or does none of it matter when we are discussing your son or daughter?
I am interested.

1 comment:

  1. It is a sensitive subject. I respect the overall experience that teachers gain through their education and through working with a larger variety and number of children than most parents personally encounter.

    At the same time, parents have a significant level of insight and expertise regarding their own particular children. It is ultimately the responsibility of the parent to choose what they feel is best for their child.

    In this sense, parent and teacher are both peers and experts, each in their own way, and each should be mindful of that. Respect is due in both directions.

    I would be interested in knowing the background and expertise of my children's teachers. Knowing should help parents to weigh their own perceptions vs a teacher's evaluations and recommendations.

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