When harshly criticized or verbally attacked: a six-step communication plan for teachers

Abstract

This article outlines a six-step communication plan to help teachers, particularly those new to the profession, handle critical, verbally abusive adults, particularly parents, in a respectful and assertive manner. The plan offers a step-by-step guide of how to engage in self-regulation, be assertive and use conflict resolution strategies to move the interaction from problem centered to solution focused. These strategies have been successfully presented to undergraduate education students, teachers in schools and counsellors working in community services. Research on the six-step plan revealed beneficial changes in student teachers' levels of confidence and abilities to stand up to verbally intimidating parents when they followed this plan of communication. Ample examples and author commentary are actively integrated to make the communication plan an informal read.