Say This....Not This.....

Every had something you said or presented misunderstood or perceived differently than intended? As I reflect on my own ability to effectively communicate with others, I came across a few resources that serve as great reminders.  I hope you find them worthwhile.


"Communication is about more than just exchanging information. It's about understanding the emotion and intentions behind the information. Effective communication is also a two-way street. It’s not only how you convey a message so that it is received and understood by someone in exactly the way you intended, it’s also how you listen to gain the full meaning of what’s being said and to make the other person feel heard and understood." -Helpguide.org

 A blog post by Jessica Cuthbertson provides some great insight on how our language affects others and especially student learning.  What she shares is a powerful reminder of our responsibility as educators to be mindful of our communication:

"Whether we like it or not, teaching is a public profession. What we say (and how we say it) matters. Principals, parents, colleagues, and students are listening and watching. The lines between staff lounge conversations spoken in hushed tones and social media messaging can get blurry as more educators share openly what it’s like to teach in a high-accountability era."

Jessica has "created a “Say This, Not That,” list to challenge some common catch phrases that may cause others to pause and wonder if we see teaching as a profession."

Say This...

• “My students are struggling with...and one thing I’m trying is…”
• “I’m having trouble reaching...can you help me problem solve?”

Not That…

• “These kids can’t….”
• “5th period is always ______ (rowdy, off-task, rude, etc.)…”

Click on the link to her article for more ideas and examples that you can add to your own resources regarding effective communication.

Here is an additional resources that you might also be interested in reading related to improving communication:
Active Listening: Hear What People are Really Saying – Understanding active listening, particularly as it applies to the workplace, and the steps you can take to become an active listener. (MindTools.com)