Recall a time you explained something to a frustrated student or parent. How did the process go and what was the response like?
How you communicate during a stress situation can really diffuse things. No matter if you are speaking to a frustrated student or teacher, it is important for the educator to be calm and cool. Talk about how your navigated the conversation to a more positive place.
"I had a student two years ago who was not happy with her grade on a test. She communicated to me, through yelling, that the test was unfair and that they hated me as a teacher. So, I pulled the student aside, and we talked about the class, what was frustrating, and how I could help her along. I kept a calm demeanor. I don't know if the student ever liked me, but we were able to come to an understanding of what I needed from her and what she needed from me. I just wanted her to be successful, no matter what she thought of me."
