In today’s Christian Schools, parents are more involved, informed, and vocal than ever before. With high expectations and significant financial investments in their children’s education, they expect consistent, high-quality communication from teachers.
As Christian School leaders, it’s our responsibility not only to set those expectations but to actively support and coach our teachers in meeting them. The following framework can help your parents feel more connected, your teachers feel more confident, and your students feel more successful.
- COMPETENCE
At a subconscious level, every parent is asking: “Is this teacher competent?” It’s not just about academic rigor or classroom management, it’s about how a teacher presents themselves through every interaction, especially communication. Here are three ways your teachers can project competence every single day.
Do a great job (consistently).
Competence starts with performance. You hired your teachers because they are skilled professionals, but they need ongoing support to consistently meet expectations. A perception of competence is earned. Your teachers will earn it every day by showing up and consistently fulfilling their job responsibilities.
Keep parents informed.
Most communication lapses aren’t due to neglect, they’re casualties of “the tyranny of the urgent.” Make your communication expectations crystal clear: Do Lower School teachers send weekly emails? Do Middle School teachers send updates at the start of new units? Spell it out and hold teachers accountable. Timely, proactive updates demonstrate preparedness and professionalism.
Leverage technology.
Use tools like school-wide communication platforms to standardize updates, reduce friction, and maintain consistency. These tools allow teachers to schedule messages, send newsletters, and automate reminders, which can save time while projecting professionalism.
Stay settled and organized.
A teacher who appears calm and prepared builds trust. One who seems constantly behind, frazzled, or forgetful can create unnecessary tension with families. If organization isn’t a strength, help that teacher develop simple systems. A settled classroom environment projects competence and calm, especially to anxious parents.
- CONFIDENCE
Parents need to believe in the teacher’s ability to lead the classroom and guide their child’s development. Confidence is not about ego, it’s about presence. Here’s how your teachers can inspire confidence:
Act like a professional.
Parents respect teachers who communicate with polish and poise. That includes clear writing (without typos), thoughtful speaking (without slang), and professional attire. Revisit your staff handbook. Does it reflect today’s expectations around professional dress and conduct? Involve your team in updating it if needed.
Be self-assured and friendly.
Courtesy, warmth, and approachability build positive relationships. Parents want to feel like their child’s teacher is confident, capable, and kind.
Maintain professional boundaries.
Social media has blurred the lines. Should teachers follow parents online? Should their accounts be public? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but boundaries matter. Encourage teachers to wear their “teacher hat” at school and to leave it there when they go home. And when social relationships overlap with professional ones (as they often do in tight-knit Christian schools), help your team navigate them with maturity and discretion.
Initiate communication.
The first message to a parent should always be positive. When a teacher reaches out before there’s a problem, it builds goodwill. And when a challenge does arise, that early connection can make all the difference. As one wise teacher once said, “If you’re probably going to need to talk with the parent anyway, reach out to them first.”
- CARE
More than anything, parents want to know: “Does this teacher care about my child?” and “Will they keep my child safe?” Academic skill matters, but physical and psychological safety matters more. When teachers show they care, they earn trust and that makes future communication smoother and more productive.
Notice the small things.
A short email when a child is absent. A kind word after a tough day. These little moments stick with families. Remind your teachers: You don’t have to do everything, but you do have to notice.
Show respect, especially under stress.
Even the best teachers get worn down. That Friday afternoon moment when a student is testing their patience? It matters. Support your teachers through those tough moments, but also hold them accountable for respectful, kind and professional interactions.
Maintain a predictable mood.
Emotional consistency builds trust. Children feel safest when they know what to expect from adults. Help your teachers manage stress and stay steady, even when school life is chaotic.
- CONSISTENCY
Communication isn’t a one-time task, it’s an ongoing rhythm. Parents want regular updates on academics and social-emotional progress. When a narrative void exists, the parents will always fill it and it will usually be filled with inaccurate information.
Avoid the “Leave Them Alone and Zap Them” approach.
Parents shouldn’t find out about an issue for the first time at a conference or in a report card comment. If a student is struggling, academically or behaviorally, parents should know early and often. Make sure that teachers have a “No Surprises” mentality.
Fill the narrative void.
The backseat car ride, the dinner table, the parent group text—all of these become places where assumptions are made. Teachers must be the ones shaping the story of a student’s progress, not reacting to it after the fact. If your teachers don’t fill the narrative void, your parents will.
- COLLABORATION
This one might be hard for teachers to hear, but it’s vital: The parent is the expert on their own child.
Yes, teachers are the experts on curriculum and classroom management. But the parent has been observing, raising, and knowing their child for far longer. When teachers acknowledge that expertise, a very strong partnership can begin to grow.
Ask questions.
“What motivates your child?” “What usually helps when they’re upset?” Questions like these empower parents and show that their insights matter.
Use surveys and digital forms.
Tools like Google Forms or Typeform can gather parent insights at the beginning of the year or during transitions between divisions. This not only shows respect, it gives teachers practical data to support students well.
Build mutual respect.
When teachers honor a parent’s knowledge of their child, most parents will reciprocate by honoring the teacher’s professional expertise. That mutual respect lays the foundation for strong, lasting collaboration.
Christian school parents expect more than just excellent academics, they expect a relationship. When you teach your teachers the 5 Cs of Effective Parent Communication, you’re not just helping teachers communicate, you’re intentionally building trust and turning parents into partners.
Mark Minkus was a private school leader for 32 years and spent 21 years as the Superintendent of a K-12 Christian School near Pittsburgh. He is the host of The Private School Leader Podcast and he has a lot of free resources for school leaders on his website, www.theprivateschoolleader.com.
