The school year is already well underway, and we must not forget that, for academic success, it is essential to have a very transparent and effective relationship between the school and families so that parents and school educators can work side by side toward achieving the learning goals of our children and adolescents.

One of the key roles of a school administrator is to facilitate coordination between teachers and students, as well as to ensure that parents have a clear understanding of the school’s Pedagogical Policy Plan (PPP). The clearer the PPP is, the healthier the relationship between the school and families will be.This is the focus of my reflection in today’s article.

Parent-teacher meetings have already taken place at most schools, and it is essential that everything discussed during these meetings be reflected in the day-to-day classroom environment so that students and parents can begin the school year with a genuine sense of trust in what is said and done.

To make this happen, let’s reflect on the key characteristics of school leaders in relation to relationship management.

First and foremost, leaders must have a clear understanding of their personal purpose and that of the organization. Based on this clarity and alignment, they are able to set clear goals and objectives, take an interest in others’ goals, and ensure that their words align with their actions. When I speak of purpose, I want to emphasize that it involves understanding why we do what we do! This must be reflected in the consistency between who we are and what we do, so that leaders demonstrate both individual and collective attitudes aligned with institutional goals.

And how can school leaders communicate the institution’s purpose to the school?

• Hold open meetings: These opportunities provide a platform for presenting the school’s goals and the progress made throughout the process.
• Document the objectives and goals: This plan can be shared with the school community and updated regularly to show progress, through social media, bulletin boards, and periodic newsletters.
• Use a variety of communication channels: newsletters, websites, social media, and emails. Social media is an important official tool that should showcase the school’s daily life to both parents and those interested in learning more about the school. It can help convey the school’s dynamic atmosphere.
• Encourage active participation: bring families to school, invite them to participate in parties, school projects, homework, and presentations given by families, as well as propose activities that extend beyond the school grounds and allow the local community to learn about the school’s work.
• Evaluate and provide feedback: Sharing results with the school community and explaining how these actions align with the school’s goals helps build families’ trust in the school.
• Celebrating achievements: celebrations for families showcasing students’ successes.

Through initiatives like these, we make the actions we take in our daily lives clear and build a community that grows more confident in the school’s work every day. Furthermore, based on this clarity, it is up to leaders to inspire others and serve as role models to engage students, staff, teachers, and families.

See also:

• Relational Intelligence in the Workplace
• Childhood and Adolescence in a Healthy Relationship with Digital Technologies
• The instructional coordinator as a team builder

To inspire means to come together by sharing the institution’s principles and, from there, to demonstrate through words and actions a commitment to the cause and a motivation to make the “why” known. So let’s consider: How should a leader act to be an inspiration in the school environment?

• One must be consistent in what one knows, says, and does;
• It must be authentic;
• You must explain why you do what you do for the community;
• You should demonstrate your knowledge and passion for what you do;
• You must demonstrate energy and motivation;
• It must also establish employment contracts and monitor them to foster healthy and transparent relationships.

For all these reasons, the work is expected to use adults as models of attitude, firmness, balance, consistency in action, and quality in relationships.

It is also important to know how to communicate effectively and manage academic and social conflicts, creating positive environments, viewing questions and mistakes as opportunities for growth, and always remaining open to change. To do this, you must:

• Establish a culture of trust: everyone should feel comfortable expressing their opinions and concerns, and this will only happen when managers demonstrate empathetic leadership—which, among other things, involves listening to and respecting others;
• Communicate regularly: keep communication channels open;
• Promote transparency: make information about the school’s policies, decisions, and projects available ;
• Encourage feedback: encourage parents, students, and staff to share their opinions and suggestions;
• Be authentic: Be transparent about the school’s challenges and successes. Show vulnerability when necessary to build empathy and connection with others;
• Encourage collaboration;
• Train the team for different processes;
• Resolving conflicts constructively: Address them openly, fairly, and constructively, with the goal of finding solutions that benefit everyone.

And speaking of communication, we can’t help but mention WhatsApp. Is it a villain or an ally at your school? Forit to be an ally in the communication process, it’s essential that school leaders use this platform with a clear purpose to promote agility and transparency in communication. Some ways to achieve this are:

• Establish clear communication guidelines;
• Share the school’s/department’s official WhatsApp number and make it clear that responses will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis;
• Designate a person in charge for handling messages—someone who has a clear understanding of the entire educational process, is courteous in their responses, clear and objective in their feedback, and is quick to seek information from those in charge of any subject they are unfamiliar with. Remember that this person will be the school’s first point of contact;
• Get a head start on controversial issues and use conventional means to provide clarification;
• Promote in-person communicationwhenever possible and when the topic is relevant to a larger number of people;
• Exchange messages that clearly outline proposals rather than value judgments.

Communication that is based on clearly defined agreements, rigorous and impartial monitoring, and clear boundaries fosters shared responsibility and security. This does not mean you cannot say no, but rather that you should say no with respect, firmness, and empathy—after all, the rules must have been established in advance and be known to everyone.

A school that embraces these values tends to foster a greater sense of belonging among everyone involved, and this gives us peace of mind and confidence in the place where we send our sons and daughters.

Through consistency between our words and actions, and with objectivity, transparency, and truth, we have built an empowered school that is welcoming, but also empowers students to create a more just world!

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