Feedback, good or bad, helps you course correct and meaningfully improve yourself and your community. However, feedback can be difficult to digest, especially when you find fault in the delivery or the concern itself. To harness its true power, it’s necessary to view concerns within context, exercise empathy and appreciation, and allow yourself to truly process what you hear. This article explores how to take and use feedback through a positive mindset, case studies on how organizations and leaders like you use concerns effectively, and guides for handling negative feedback, or concerns that you can’t control.
Jump to:
- The Gift of Feedback
- The Gift of Feedback Pt. II
- How to Share Hard Family Feedback
- What To Say To Concerns You Can’t Control
- Possip Spotlight: How Belvidere Community Unit School District 100 Uses Feedback in Strategic Planning
- Voices Heard: How Possip Partners Request and Highlight Community Feedback
- 52 Effective Parent Survey Questions For Meaningful Feedback
- Responding to Feedback About IEPs
- What You Can Do When Your Staff Gives You Critical Feedback
- A Guide for Teachers: Giving Effective and Compassionate Feedback to Administrators
- 4 Principles of Feedback From Extraordinary School Leaders
- Sharing Concerns: A Quick How To Guide
The Gift of Feedback
October 29, 2018
This special feature on Possip’s blog is thanks to educator and entrepreneur Lauren Sikes. Lauren is the Founder and CEO of DesignEd, which innovates culture + curriculum in K-12 schools. She taught for thirteen years in public and private schools in New York City and Nashville, TN. DesignEd offers leadership and organizational development, teacher coaching, and curriculum design. Lauren’s experience as an educator and teacher leader informs DesignEd’s work of engaging with empathy to design intentional culture + curriculum.
If you are a school leader, how do your students, parents, and teachers experience your school?
How do you know?
If you are a teacher, how do students and parents experience your classroom?
How do you know?
Boldly stated, feedback is a gift. Not asking for it is a missed opportunity. Without feedback, schools have to make assumptions about how people experience them. Without feedback, schools miss diverse perspectives that can help them design a better and unique educational experience for everyone.
Yet feedback is only a gift when it is used to improve. When schools and districts collect concerns, two things can happen:
- Schools know what to do with it and make immediate changes.
- Schools are overwhelmed by it and push it aside.
DesignEd helps schools in the latter category – schools who want to make changes but are overwhelmed by what to do with feedback when they get it. DesignEd helps schools innovate culture + curriculum schools using a design thinking framework. Design thinking helps schools solve problems and create opportunities grounded in empathy and human-centered design. Culture + curriculum innovations are informed by feedback. Even if you don’t use DesignEd, a design thinking framework could help your team take great action against feedback.
Possip and DesignEd share the mindset of feedback as a gift.
Possip collects praise, concerns and information from parents in an accessible, easy-to-use way. DesignEd has seen Possip users who took the feedback from parents to design solutions.
Early on in Possip’s existence, a first grade teacher, who was working with DesignEd, used parent feedback to improve the school’s homework policy – which had been a point of concern for families. Using the feedback collected via Possip and surveying teachers and leaders in the school, she prototyped changes to the homework policy. After testing these changes, the newly redesigned homework policy revealed itself to be more manageable and meaningful for students and parents. This teacher was able to use a key part of the design thinking framework: empathy. Parent feedback gave her empathy for the experiences of kids and families. So rather than pushing a policy that wasn’t working, the teacher used design thinking to design a better experience for her students and parents. Parents and students were heard and valued, AND a teacher was empowered and able to make a transformational change for her school community.
Feedback is a gift – as long as you use it.
The Gift of Feedback Pt. II
July 18, 2019
Contributor Nicholas “Knick” Dixon is a public school administrator, anti-racism advocate, and “feedback junky” based in Greensboro, NC.
Billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Warren Buffet, once said, “genuine feedback is a gift.” I tend to agree with Mr. Buffet’s assertion. But, let’s be clear, not all gifts are wrapped in nice shiny bows and presented at predictable times of the year. Some are unexpected, inopportune, and downright convicting. So, what should become of those gifts?
Here are a few ideas:
Take inventory. If you notice you have several duplicates of the same gift, that’s a sure a sign that some action is needed.
Try to open the gifts before you read the names of the senders. This is important, but admittedly difficult to do. It’s necessary, though, to limit implicit biases from getting in the way.
Give it a “home” somewhere, anywhere, but for Pete’s sake, don’t leave it in the gift box. Decide on the next course of action as soon as possible. A next step could be as simple as delegating the matter to the person closest to the issue.
The final, and perhaps most important, thing to do is thank the senders. It’s the gentle thing to do and that person deserves appreciation for making your organization better.
And since feedback is a gift, we of course encourage you to make it easy to share it. Learn more about how Possip can help.
How to Share Hard Family Feedback
March 19, 2024
We often hear that “Feedback Is a Gift”– but in reality, it can be challenging to share concerns with anyone. It can be especially difficult to share hard family feedback with a hard-working teacher when you know they might get upset and may see the situation differently.
Cate Reed, seasoned administrator, current Senior Vice President of Teach For America, and Possip Reporter, walks through ways to effectively use feedback shared by families.
There are things you can do to take the sting out of tough feedback while also helping your staff embrace it as a way to get better over time
Create a Feedback-Friendly Culture
Make sure your staff knows that you collect feedback, through Possip, or by other means, and that you take it seriously. This ensures that when you talk with them about hard family feedback, it doesn’t come out of left field. Additionally, model how you receive feedback. Tell people when you have received tough concerns and what you have done about it, and name how it made you feel in the moment. Also, remember that feedback isn’t always critical. Be sure that you are illuminating positive feedback as well. If you are consistently sharing both the good and the constructive, it doesn’t feel like a “gotcha” moment when challenging situations come up.
Time and Place Matter When Sharing Hard Family Concerns
Request a meeting with the teacher to discuss the hard family feedback you have received. Choose a quiet and private setting where you can have a focused conversation without interruptions, and don’t hide the ball. Telling someone in advance that you received concerns you want to share means people can have a moment to prepare themselves. If they ask if you can share in advance, consider that request (here are some tips to craft an email sharing negative feedback). Some people best handle feedback conversations when they have had a moment to think in advance.
What To Say To Concerns You Can’t Control
March 21, 2024
Have you heard feedback on things you can’t control?
“I cannot believe school was delayed again! It was only rain! Don’t people know how much of a hassle this is?”
“The cafeteria food is awful! Too much fat and sugar, and the kids just waste it!”
“The school calendar makes no sense. Why is there another winter break in February? What am I supposed to do with kids off for 3 days?”
We have all received concerns that we might understand (and even agree with!), but where the decision isn’t ours to make or we can’t control the situation. Explaining that to an irate parent can only make them more frustrated because they might think you don’t hear them or don’t want to. If you just stand by the decision, it can seem like you are being defensive or dismissive. Both scenarios can break trust and leave everyone feeling dissatisfied or more upset.
Cate Reed, seasoned administrator, current Senior Vice President of Teach For America, and Possip Reporter, highlights ways to accept and address concerns when the situation is outside your purview.
There is hope – keep striving for a feedback-rich culture! While receiving concerns about something over which you have no control can be challenging, you can take steps to make the concern and the interaction productive!
Acknowledge the Concerns and Appreciate the Person Sharing It
Begin by acknowledging that you have received the concerns. This shows that you are open to communication and value the input of others. Thank the person for taking the time to provide concerns. Even if the feedback is difficult or you disagree with it, expressing gratitude for their perspective can help maintain a positive tone.
Next Step: Send a quick email, a voice note, or even a text stating you acknowledge receipt, and thank them for taking the time to reach out.
Possip Spotlight: How Belvidere Community Unit School District 100 Uses Feedback in Strategic Planning
July 23, 2024
In the vibrant urban landscape of the Belvidere Community Unit School District 100 in northern Illinois, leaders cherish and prioritize voices in their strategic endeavors. Discover more about Belvidere’s uplifting journey and strategic utilization of Possip data, narrated by Frank Mandera, Director of Quality Assurance and former Principal.Belvidere Community Unit School District 100.
In education, strategic planning acts as the guiding star illuminating the path for schools and districts to achieve their aspirations. Yet, amidst the wealth of data and statistics, lies a goldmine often overlooked: the invaluable feedback from families and staff members.
Voices Heard: How Possip Partners Request and Highlight Community Feedback
July 16, 2024
It can seem daunting to request community feedback, but some school and district leaders have successfully woven it into their culture. We love seeing our Possip Partners using social media to let families know how much they value their voice. Check out how our Possip Partners spread the word about upcoming Pulse Checks and their impact!
52 Effective Parent Survey Questions For Meaningful Feedback
June 27, 2024
Each family survey question, when carefully crafted, can be a powerful tool to leverage when you need information from your staff, families, or students. Asking what families need, when they are best able to attend events, and what they are thinking about is a major step toward building relationships with parents and increasing their engagement. As we know, family engagement is a critical lever to boost student outcomes.
You may want to ask about communication, academic support, a recent event, or more. Getting these kinds of concerns can be scary – but you can win at parent engagement!
Responding to Feedback About IEPs
March 5, 2024
Overwhelmingly our special population’s teachers and staff receive and deserve praise for the services they provide for their students. However, there are times when families express concerns about the services or structure of their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). At Possip, we see feedback about IEPs and special population services provided by families or staff usually fall into three categories. Those three categories include: “Quality and Frequency of Related Services”, “Accommodation and Referral Requests”, or “Director/Leadership Feedback.”
We know staff and administration want to respond feedback about IEPs. Families need help and we want to provide empathetic responses and effectively address frustration. To that end, we’ve analyzed family and staff questions and concerns we’ve seen in Possip reports and provided suggestions for next steps.
What You Can Do When Your Staff Gives You Critical Feedback
December 15, 2023
At our Possip event, Sustaining Strong Schools: Strategies for Staff and Teacher Retention, one of our top recommendations for administrators includes giving meaningful feedback and support.
We base this recommendation on data from our Staff Pulse Checks®. Over the 2022-23 school year, staff’s #3 top trend revolved around their leaders and administration. Our data shows that within concerns staff gave about their administration, these sub trends emerged:
A Guide for Teachers: Giving Effective and Compassionate Feedback to Administrators
July 21, 2023
Before we get started, ask yourself these questions:
- Are you hesitant to provide concerns to your administrator?
- Do you have ideas for how your school can promote student success that you aren’t sharing?
- Are you resentful of keeping all of your feelings to yourself?
- Do you have positive feedback that you may want to share but don’t know how?
The good news is You. Are. Not. Alone.
Use this resource to help you say what you need to speak with compassion– ultimately setting the stage for longevity and honesty in your relationship with your principal or school leaders.
4 Principles of Feedback From Extraordinary School Leaders
October 18, 2022
Last year, under the leadership of Julie Kennedy, Charter School Growth Fund piloted Possip Pulse Checks™ with 22 portfolio schools spanning 11 different networks. These schools heard from up to 80% of their families throughout the course of the year, gathering authentic feedback and praise!
Leaders from the initial group of 22 schools have expanded their use of Possip! It includes additional campuses – now 90 participating – as well as new stakeholders such as students and staff.
Sharing Concerns: A Quick How To Guide
December 10, 2020
Sharing feedback can be hard! Sharing feedback with your child’s school can be really hard! At Possip, we’re all about feedback, so here are some tips for sharing concerns with your child’s school:
Build a Relationship
It’s never too late to cultivate relationships with the people that are invested in your child’s success– teachers, school leaders, counselors, etc. So much easier to share concerns with someone you have a relationship with.
Choose the WAY You’ll Share Feedback
This is when Possip comes in especially handy– being able to share concerns is always at your fingertips. If Possip is not yet at your school, email is a good option during these times. Or set up a call!
Speed Read (tldr) of How to Take and Use Feedback, for Schools
- Feedback as a Valuable Tool for Improvement: Concerns, whether positive or negative, are crucial for growth and improvement. Schools and organizations must embrace feedback to avoid assumptions and design better experiences. Effective use of feedback involves understanding it within context, exercising empathy, and applying it constructively, as demonstrated by the DesignEd framework and Possip’s role in integrating concerns into school culture and policies.
- Handling Negative or Difficult Concerns: Dealing with negative or tough feedback requires a thoughtful approach. Establishing a feedback-friendly culture where feedback is welcomed and appreciated can ease the process. It’s important to acknowledge and thank those who provide concerns, even if it’s challenging, and to communicate clearly about actions taken in response to their concerns.
- Addressing Concerns on Uncontrollable Issues: When concerns are in areas beyond one’s control, such as administrative decisions or external policies, it’s crucial to acknowledge the concern and express appreciation. Maintaining a positive tone and demonstrating openness to communication helps manage these interactions effectively, even when immediate changes are not feasible.
Read below for resources, tips, and the why!
