Challenging Communications

The need to have difficult conversations with parents and caregivers might be inevitable, but in this 90-minute workshop, Patricia helps your staff approach them with less fear and anxiety by viewing these communications as opportunities to strengthen relationships with families. Workshop participants will learn powerful techniques to shift conversations from challenging to satisfying and productive. They will leave with their own action plan designed to ensure they are confident and prepared when they need to have a heart-to-heart talk. Patricia can also customize the workshop with examples from your district or school. This session can be presented virtually or in person.

Define the aspects of communication (words, information, tone, and body language) and how they work together.
Recognize why challenging conversations make people so uncomfortable.
Understand the roles personal experiences and personalities play in challenging conversations and examine how to use those to prevent awkward or heated exchanges.
Demonstrate the ability to prepare for challenging conversations with talking points and responses.
Understand the importance of questioning and listening when it comes to challenging conversations.
Describe and create tools and approaches for diffusing anger when it surfaces during communications with families.
Practice anticipating and preventing emotional responses by analyzing common scenarios.

What people are saying about the presentations

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ESC of Northeast Ohio
“I loved this class! Patricia was super engaging and I feel like I really gained a lot of knowledge and insight from these classes. The group we had was open and honest and I believe we all gained a lot of communication skills that will be put to good use!”

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Maria Ovalle-LopezDirector Family Engagement, Klein ISD
“Patricia Weinzapfel delivered powerful content empowering family facing professionals to refine their communication skills and positively engage families in education. She shared real examples of best communication practices that gave participants the opportunity to problem- solve and apply the content immediately!”

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Charlene PaparizosDirector of Communications, Chagrin Falls Schools
“Patricia's work will enhance your overall communication skills. In our District, our goal is to build trust, foster collaboration, and ensure that our messages are clearly understood. Patricia's master class and year-long coaching with our administrators and staff is leading us even closer to accomplishing this goal. We use Patricia's tips and tools to communicate with families, as well as internally with staff. I even find myself remembering her advice in conversations with friends and family. For me, her work is not only professional development, but personal development. That combination is hard to find.”

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IEL 2021 Conference Attendee
“Patricia was amazing!!!!! She was very knowledgeable and her examples were great!”

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NSPRA 2021 Conference Attendee
“I’ve already implemented some of these strategies into my district communications.”

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ESC of Northeast Ohio
“The series was set up with discussions, hands on applications, time to ask questions and plan ahead. From the beginning to end it was worthwhile time spent spent focusing on specifically on communication to families.”

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NSPRA 2021 Conference Attendee
“Best virtual session, in my opinion. Excellent and engaging presentation.”

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NSPRA 2021 Conference Attendee via Twitter
“Your tips are already impacting my work this morning as I craft a parent communication. Your work truly makes a difference.”

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Kids Count Conference 2019 Attendee
“Great Examples of real-life situations and fun activities that get the points across in a memorable way.”

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ESC of Northeast Ohio
“The Masterclass is beneficial to groom and grow your ability to effectively communicate to all stakeholders. It diminishes many preconceived ideas and replaces them with new simple innovative ways to communicate across all forms of media. This class is a must take if you are an intricate part of the communications team within your District.”