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NEA Professional Learning

Meeting People Where They Are: Finding Commonalities and Shared Values to Get What You Want

Learn how to build effective relationships and achieve shared goals by finding common ground with various stakeholders.
By: NEA
Published: April 2025
This resource originally appeared on NEA.org

At a Glance

Establishing commonalities, like shared values, experiences, and goals, is essential for all educators. Whether you are working with students, parents/families, union members, potential union members, or policymakers, meeting them where they are and finding common ground is critical to building effective relationships and ultimately getting what you want. Join Jen Bramson, Specialized Paraeducator and 2024 NEA ESP of the Year, to learn how to build relationships, overcome challenges, affect behavior, and get what you want with various stakeholders, including your biggest adversaries.

Topics

  • ESP Professional Growth Continuum
  • Family & Community Engagement
  • Workplace Conditions

Outcomes

  • Build meaningful relationships
  • Find common ground with others
  • Achieve shared goals

Details

Audience Role

  • Education Support Professional

Session Length

1 hour

Session Format

Online

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