My communication model

The person in my life that demonstrates competent communication is my Mother.  She was the Dean of Students for one of the local high schools where I first taught.

The behaviors that my mother exhibited when she was in the Dean’s Office at a local high school were; calm, unemotional, attentive, and caring.  She worked with students who got in trouble for various reasons; tardy, ditching class, behavior issues, etc.  When working with students who were lying to her she would look at them straight in the face, emotionless, and listen to their stories.  They thought since she did not respond she must believe them.  She would also take under her wing students who needed a little extra support and “mother” them if they needed.  I can’t count how many times she wanted to bring them home and care for them.  I guess that is where I get it from.  Every year I find at least one student who I am totally convinced that I could do a better job than their parents. 

My mother would talk to each student whom she saw in a professional manner but yet still maintained an appropriate level of control.  She let them know through the tone in her voice, and body position that she was the controlling party in this situation.  She would let them tell their side of the story and walk them through their decisions whether they were right or wrong.  She would also help them to plan out a better plan of behavior.   I want to model my interactions with students after hers.  She had a very good report with the students that she worked with and made a difference in many of their lives.