Testimonial 1
September 13, 2023Start Early with Norm Setting
June 4, 2025
Set the Stage for Hard Conversations
Make difficult conversations intentional.
Difficult conversations aren’t just regular classroom moments — they take structure, care, and preparation. Whether the conversation is planned or it comes up unexpectedly, it’s important for the teacher to respond constructively, not reactively. Even if the moment catches you off guard, you can still bring structure to the conversation to help students feel safe, heard, and supported.
Use a Checklist
The checklist is designed to help teachers intentionally prepare before facilitating a difficult conversation, ensuring they have a clear plan, grounded norms, and emotional readiness.
1. Meter Your Emotions and Expectations
As educators, it's natural to feel strongly—especially when a student voices something you personally disagree with or find troubling. But during difficult conversations, your role is not to convince. It’s to guide, to listen, and to hold the space open for student exploration and accountability while upholding classroom norms.
2. Lead with Curiosity, not Correction.
It can be hard when your internal voice is screaming, “That’s wrong!” But modeling emotional regulation is part of what teachers can model for students on how to disagree respectfully. Aim to bring a tone of neutrality, not because you don’t care, but because you’re stewarding the dialogue, not steering it with your own opinions.
Remember:
This is not the time to share your personal stance. It’s a moment to elevate your students’ ideas, help them listen to one another, and coach them toward critical reflection and civil engagement.