Michael Desparrios is no stranger to the world of education.  As a former special education teacher and a special education consultant and coordinator he has seen firsthand the challenges teachers and parents sometimes face with understanding, and empathy for each other in times of trouble.  In Michael’s current role as the Leader of Educational Initiatives for the Our Community Listens organization, he develops and trains participants in the field of listening, non-verbal behaviors, and healing broken relationships.  Join Kristy Houle as she chats with Michael about the program and her own experience with the 3-day training.

 

In this episode you’ll hear…

• What exactly the Our Community Listens organization is
• Why listening skills are so important for in the classroom and beyond
• What an Our Community Listens workshop is like

 

“You can’t really fake being genuine with someone and even with young kids. Young kids can read that really, really quick.”

“Even with kids we always have to be aware that we’re role models and sometimes we aren’t the best us.”

 

— Michael Desparrios, The Classroom Matters podcast

 

Links to…

• The Our Community Listens website
• Our Community Listens class offerings