The ups and downs of the pandemic have elevated stress levels across the board and one of the potential flashpoints is sensitive discussions between teachers and parents. Join us for a fast list of do’s and don’ts for diffusing and managing these emotionally difficult conversations.

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Dr. Todd Whitaker has been fortunate to be able to blend his passion with his career. Recognized as a leading presenter in the field of education, his message about the importance of teaching has resonated with hundreds of thousands of educators around the world. Todd is a professor of educational leadership at the University of Missouri and professor emeritus at Indiana State University. He has spent his life pursuing his love of education by researching and studying effective teachers and principals. One of the nation’s leading authorities on staff motivation, teacher leadership, and principal effectiveness, Todd has written over 50 books including the national best seller, What Great Teachers Do Differently. Other titles include: Dealing With Difficult Teachers, Ten-Minute Inservice, Your First Year, What Great Principals Do Differently, Motivating & Inspiring Teachers, and Dealing With Difficult Parents.

Meredith Newlin is the founder of The Transformed Teacher. As a veteran educator who has been teaching for more than 16 years, her passion and purpose are to help motivate and inspire educators to rediscover—and keep—their joy for the teaching profession. She is the author of Captured Fireflies: Truths, Mistakes, And Other Gifts Of Being an English Teacher as well as Freed To Teach: 7 Keys To Thrive In an Era Of Uncertainty.

Matt Wachel is an ASCD emerging leader and an elementary principal in the Gardner Edgerton School District in Gardner, KS. He is the co-author of the book, Having an impact on learning, the public relations professional and the principal.

Shawn Thomas is in her 20th year of teaching in the largest county in Georgia. She has taught Kindergarten, Second and Third Grade, and ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) K-5.