Build TRUST — Lessons learned during COVID for Special Educators

As published in CORWIN Connect, November 4, 2021.

Years ago, when my Boston law firm hired me, Bob, the hiring partner, gave me a piece of advice: Return phone calls the same day, even if just to say that you got the call and will be in touch later.

It was excellent advice. Why? It helped me to build trust with my clients. No one likes to wait for their lawyer’s or doctor’s call, email, or text. Everyone likes to know that they matter. Bob’s advice turned out to be an excellent habit.

I believe that a positive and TRUSTING relationship between school and family is also vital for excellent education. We need it at IEP or 504 Team meetings; in classrooms; with students, parents, colleagues — everywhere!

About trust: A few months before he died at age 100, George Shultz, the diplomat, reflected on advice he got when he first became Secretary of State — “Trust is the coin of the realm.” He carried that lesson with him for his whole life and wrote a book about trust and relationships. You can download it here: Trust

“When trust was in the room, whatever room that was — the family room, the schoolroom, the coach’s room, the office room, the government room, or the military room — good things happened.