Share about a time you experienced a breakdown in communication and how you responded to it.
Communication with students, parents, and fellow coworkers is crucial in this line of work. However, breakdowns in communication happen, even when all parties have the best of intentions. Share about a time when either you or someone else was responsible for a minor communication breakdown and how you responded to it purposefully and professionally. Share how you turned a negative situation into a positive one with your problem-solving skills and can-do attitude and what you learned from the whole experience.
"Two years ago, my team and I sent out a mailer to our families with wrong information printed on it. The dates of our biannual parent conferences were incorrect. I only realized this when a parent approached me to sign up for a conference time. As soon as I was made aware, I sent out an email blast to all families accepting responsibility, offering my apologies, and communicating the correct date. From that experience, I learned the importance of having an extra set of eyes on all communication that goes out to our students and families. Strong, consistent communication is important to establish rapport and trust."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
When I started teaching in a new school, the secretary gave me the phone extension for my classroom and my code, which I changed immediately. I did not think it was strange that I had not received any phone calls during the first two days of school. I sent my new families an e-mail with my new extension and told them to contact me with any questions or concerns.
On the third day, my principal came into my classroom and asked me why I had not responded to two parents' phone calls asking to meet with me. I told her that no one had called me. I gave her my phone and dialed the number for voicemail messages so she could hear that I did not have any messages.
The principal sent me an e-mail the following day stating that her secretary had given me the wrong extension to give to the parents. I typed a note during my prep time apologizing to the parents for the mis-communication and gave them the correct extension number. After school that day, I called the two parents, apologized again, and left them voicemail messages telling them how to contact me and stating that I would be happy to meet with them at their convenience. I learned a lesson that I will never forget. Whenever I changed classrooms or schools, I called the extension I was given to make sure that it was the correct phone number. Communication works for those who work at it.
Marcie's Feedback
Perfect! This is a strong answer with a relevant example that shows how you successfully handle a mishap. You also emphasize the lesson that you learned, which is something that the interviewer will find important. Good response!
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