News & Events

LSEM > Devotions > Mind the Gap

Mind the Gap

  • September 23, 2016
  • Posted by: Carolyn Mahal
  • Category: Devotions
No Comments

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. – 1 John 3:18

Parent-Teacher Communication is a topic that has fascinated me for as long as I have been in the field of education. In fact, the action research project I authored as the capstone assignment of my Master’s program was a study on developing positive, intentional communication patterns between teachers and parents.  While this level of work leaves me far from claiming expertise in the field, I can say that I have learned a thing or two about the process through both my studies and my positive and negative experiences as both a teacher and a parent.  Over the years I have had the opportunity to lead teachers on my own staff, to present to teachers in conference settings, and to have my research published.  But before I lose my breath tooting my own horn, let me tell you the simple reason why I chose this topic in the first place.

I could not wrap my brain around the reasons why teachers and parents found it so difficult to just talk to one another.  Think about it.  Parents love their children and want nothing but the best for them.  Teachers love their students and want nothing but the best for them.  Now get this:  We’re talking about the same people!  So why is it that two groups who want the exact same thing can’t merely talk to one another about reaching the mutual goals that they share?  Instead, they allow this communication gap to exist, leading both sides to feel misinformed, distrusted, and at odds with each other.

Like many things in life, people have a way of complicating things that should really be pretty simple.  Teachers want to be respected as educational leaders with training and skills that prove they can handle whatever a classroom can throw at them.  Parents want to guide their children to be successful academically, socially, and spiritually so that they and their child will be looked upon favorably.  Both are legitimate individual targets that blend with the effectiveness of oil and water.  Parents get a flutter in their stomachs when they see the teacher’s number on the caller ID; fueled by the dread of what the teacher might be calling to say.  But then again it should come as no surprise that teachers often have the same reaction when their phone shows the name of a parent.

There has to be a different way to approach this.  What if I as a teacher I open up my thoughts and feelings to parents, speaking the truth in love without judgment?  What if I as a parent share my knowledge of my child and express my ideas with my emotions in check?  What if both parties are open about their strengths and shortcomings, collaboratively set a course of action, and support one another in achieving it through messages, conversations, and prayer?  No, that is not going to be easy.  Yes, that is a lot of work.  However, there is no denying the benefit it will have on the child who is not only relying on you both but is loved enough by both teacher and parent to make the efforts worthwhile.

When you think about it, it’s silly to see such poor communication at the heart of such an important relationship.  But don’t scoff at them, they’re merely following the same pattern we all walk.  Think of these other pairs of non-communicators and see how many to which you can relate:

Husband &Wife
Parent & Child
Boss & Employee
Colleague & Colleague
Service-Provider & Client
Doctor & Patient
Neighbor & Neighbor
Pastor & Parishioner, etc…..

I could keep going, but to save time and space would you concede that most every relationship we have can fall prey to the trappings of ineffective communication?  These situations will all become problematic if left unaddressed, but I’ve failed to list the one relationship where the lack of communication proves itself to be most damaging:

Sinner & Savior

When we fully consider the effects of sin on our lives and the consequences that come from them, we find ourselves more easily motivated to seek out our God for forgiveness, peace, and hope.  We open our lives to Him, share our thoughts and trust His word and His will to guide us.  We come to our Lord in prayer – the great gift God has provided us to share with Him every joy, every fear, and quite honestly everything.  Openness in our human communication leads to greater understanding and achievement.  Imagine what God has in store when we open our hearts to Him?

Devotion by Richard Schumacher

LSEM Director of Programs & Services