While participating in the Family Leaders for Ohio Schools Academy at the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center, Ohio parent Lakin developed a strengths-based communication tool for teachers. Read more about her plan below.
Introduction
Teachers are increasingly encountering student behavioral and emotional challenges and often lack a structured approach for effective communication with families. Current interactions may become reactive, deficit-focused, or one-sided which can limit opportunities for collaboration. The CARE → S Framework addresses this need by providing a strengths-based communication tool that promotes intentional and collaborative interactions.
The framework will guide teachers to:
- Connect with parents,
- Acknowledge student strengths,
- Request parent perspective, and
- Explain teacher observations; then intentionally allowing space for parent response before moving on to
- Solve the problem.
Goal
Improve teacher–family communication by implementing the CARE → S Framework to promote a collaborative and strengths-based interactions that support student success.
Objectives:
- Collect teacher feedback using a short survey
- Provide teachers with a brief training
- Teachers will apply the CARE → S Framework during real parent interactions (email, phone, conferences)
Expected Outcomes
- Improved quality and consistency of teacher–family communication
- Increased teacher confidence in navigating conversations
- Greater use of strengths-based language
- Shift from reactive or one-sided interactions to collaborative, solution-focused exchanges
- Increased family engagement and feeling heard
- Stronger teacher–family partnerships
- More effective problem-solving
- Improved behavioral, emotional, and academic outcomes for students
Potential Challenges
- Limited time for teacher training and competing demands during the school year.
- Varying levels of teacher buy-in and comfort with structured communication.
- Differences in family engagement and responsiveness may limit opportunities.
Next Steps
- Provide a brief teacher training during teachers workdays of the 2026-2027 school year
- Distribute framework reference guides and communication examples
- Begin using the framework during routine family interactions
- Offer ongoing support through the implementation
- Collect teacher feedback to evaluate effectiveness