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  Case: Complaining Parent
Coach Smith teaches PE and coaches a middle school softball team in her lifelong hometown. Although she diligently works daily to provide the best for all of her students and players, one mother simply will not let up. Every day this mother finds something to complain about whether it is about coaching styles, coaching techniques, or teaching practices. Many believe that the complaining is insignificant and simply an attempt to make things hard for Coach Smith. Although she has been patient throughout it all, it is beginning to bother her tremendously. What should she do?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
While I agree, Mrs. Smith has to talk this issue out with the parent, I think that there should be some sort of mediator present during this conversation. Calling in an administrator or another coach to sit in with this parent will help diffuse the situation and will eliminate the "he said she said" issue that could arise after this conversation. If the parent is making it difficult for Mrs. Smith to do her job, then I would hope an administrator or more experienced coach would set boundaries for the parent in order to create some breathing space for Coach Smith. She also has to understand that some parents, really some people, are just not going to be happy no matter how hard you try. Maintain a professional approach with this parent and try to wait it out. That child will not be in your team/class forever.
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This solution seems to cover all the bases. It addresses the parents concerns, gives the teacher a chance to justify decisions made for the student, and allows this all to take place with another adult in the room who is not emotionally attached to the situation.
Rated On: October 25, 2015 3:46 pm
Rated By: vapaju
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Agreed. It is very important to speak with the parent first in a polite and professional manner.
Rated On: March 4, 2016 4:07 pm
Rated By: beTyZa
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I like the idea of having another team member present throughout the meeting.
Rated On: March 7, 2016 12:32 am
Rated By: Cynthia Juez
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Having a mediator present is incredibly important in these situations, I would do this, too.
Rated On: July 10, 2016 5:08 pm
Rated By: LuLyHa
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is a great solution.
Rated On: July 11, 2016 2:25 am
Rated By: yGapeW
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Having an administrator present for the meeting would be helpful. They may be able to diffuse the situation or come up with a productive way for the parents to voice opinions.
Rated On: October 10, 2016 3:19 pm
Rated By: yJatyt
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Having a mediator is a great idea
Rated On: October 14, 2016 11:49 pm
Rated By: Nick
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: A mediator is an excellent idea, so that both perspectives can be expressed fairly and effectively and also an unbiased perspective can help to find middle ground or resolve the conflict.
Rated On: October 15, 2016 5:04 am
Rated By: Nicole McVey
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this.
Rated On: October 16, 2016 12:07 am
Rated By: junuTu
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is a great solution and I would do the same if I were also in the situation. Having a mediator present is a good idea.
Rated On: October 16, 2016 1:10 am
Rated By: ePymyp
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This response is very helpful and has many great ideas. It is civil to sit down and talk with the parent in order to set boundaries and make sure that everyone can work it out. Being professional is the most important step.
Rated On: October 16, 2016 4:04 pm
Rated By: nehury
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I think this is a smart solution
Rated On: March 2, 2017 8:38 pm
Rated By: eqeJaQ
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I would take the same approach with this conflict. I think involving a mediator is an important factor considering is starting to bother the coach "tremendously." It always helps to remember the child (and the parent) will not be in the class forever!
Rated On: March 3, 2017 8:54 pm
Rated By: Jessica J.
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Yes, staying professional is key! Also, having a mediator during the conference would help too. I can imagine this parent's constant complaining can get to the coach, but you can't make everyone happy. Staying professional and having administration aware of this parent should help keep things in place.
Rated On: March 4, 2017 3:27 pm
Rated By: avenyB
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with this solution.
Rated On: March 5, 2017 4:22 am
Rated By: e7m1w5
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is a great solution.
Rated On: March 5, 2017 6:27 am
Rated By: Kelsey Lutzi
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: well said
Rated On: March 5, 2017 9:22 pm
Rated By: VeWyRu
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: While the parent(s) and Coach Smith do need to talk, the solution is best because it involves another party. Having one-on-one conversations can be useful but when constant criticism is involved the problem of "he said, she said" is imminent so an administrator or another coach should be present for this conversation.
Rated On: October 9, 2017 3:30 pm
Rated By: Rachel Stephens
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is the right way to have it talked out instead of in a confrontational way. Also important to note the situation is not forever.
Rated On: October 13, 2017 8:04 pm
Rated By: JyGeLe
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree
Rated On: February 24, 2018 8:47 pm
Rated By: aqaMuT
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I feel this to be a very effective and useful solution.
Rated On: February 25, 2018 10:27 pm
Rated By: aWyreQ
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Very well stated. One of the best solutions on the page!
Rated On: July 5, 2018 12:49 am
Rated By: zeXyBy
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is a helpful solution that I think could produce some results. Having a mediator present is extremely beneficial to both parties. Maintaining a professional approach is crucial.
Rated On: July 6, 2018 5:44 pm
Rated By: Rochelle Young
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is a very good way to respond to this situation. I would do this.
Rated On: October 14, 2018 7:45 pm
Rated By: sadaze
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree
Rated On: July 7, 2019 9:09 pm
Rated By: SeGyHu
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments:
Rated On: October 10, 2019 1:42 pm
Rated By: pagyDa
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree
Rated On: October 15, 2019 3:33 pm
Rated By: uWaMyB
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I think this is a wonderful way to approach the situation.
Rated On: October 16, 2019 7:40 pm
Rated By: JyLaVe
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Calling in a mediator is the best solution as having them there also lets them be a 3rd party witness.
Rated On: October 31, 2021 6:08 am
Rated By: aseTyD