Parent Feedback Strategies: Building Trust & Retention with Ryan Ermeling

Is parent feedback triggering more anxiety than insight at your school? You're not alone. In this essential conversation, Ryan Ermeling, founder of ParentPulse, reveals why traditional approaches to parent feedback create more problems than they solve—and what to do instead.

After working with nearly 300 private and independent schools, Ryan has identified patterns that transform family engagement from reactive crisis management into proactive community building. He introduces the Listen-Engage-Act framework, explains why continuous feedback outperforms annual surveys, and shares how small, responsive actions build exponential trust with families. With school choice reshaping parent expectations and retention becoming increasingly critical, this episode delivers practical systems for turning feedback into your school's competitive advantage.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to overcome "Post-Traumatic Feedback Disorder" that prevents authentic parent engagement

• Why systematic feedback loops create healthier school cultures than ad-hoc approaches

• Strategic methods for responding to anonymous feedback while maintaining dialogue

• How continuous feedback systems naturally support re-enrollment and retention goals

• The connection between feeling heard and psychological safety in school communities

Featured Guest: Ryan Ermeling is the founder of ParentPulse and a recognized leader in K-12 parent engagement strategies. Since 2022, he has partnered with nearly 300 private and independent schools to revolutionize feedback systems, helping educational leaders transform parent relationships from adversarial to collaborative partnerships.

Recommended Resources: ParentPulse feedback systems and school engagement tools

Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org

Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/

Email: [email protected]

The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.