The "Good News" Quota: Building Goodwill with Proactive Positive Communication

Let's be honest, in the relentless grind of the school term, parent contact usually only happens when there's a problem. A student's grades are dipping, there's been a tough incident on the playground or the homework hasn't been handed in for three weeks running. It's almost always reactive contact and it immediately puts both you and the parent on the back foot.

This cycle, while necessary for accountability, creates a sense that a teacher's call or email is synonymous with bad news. It's time to smash that expectation and start building a massive "emotional bank account" of goodwill with your families.

The solution is simple, strategic and highly effective: adopting a Good News Quota.

 

What is a "Good News Quota"?

The concept is straightforward: Every teacher commits to making a specific, achievable number of proactive, positive contacts with parents or carers each week.

Instead of waiting for an issue, you actively seek out and celebrate the great stuff happening in your classroom.

• The Quota: Aim for something manageable and consistent, such as 3 positive phone calls or 5 positive emails every single Friday afternoon.
• The Focus: The conversation must be about effort, character or kindness—not just academic results.
• The Goal: To ensure that for every challenging contact you make, you have already built up a strong foundation of positive rapport with that family.

 

The Good News Script: Keep it Short and Sweet

The beauty of the positive call is its brevity and sincerity. You don't need a ten-minute chat about the curriculum; you just need a minute to deliver the compliment and sign off.

 

The Perfect Positive Phone Call:

1. The Hook (15 seconds): "Hi, this is Mr/Ms [Your Name] calling from [School Name]. Is this a good time? I’m calling about [Student’s Name] and I have some really good news." (Hearing the phrase "good news" after a call from school is instantly disarming.)
2. The Compliment (30 seconds): "I just wanted to let you know that today I saw [Student’s Name] demonstrate incredible kindness when they helped a new student find their way or they showed outstanding perseverance with a tough Maths problem." [Be specific: mention the exact, positive behaviour you observed.]
3. The Sign-Off (15 seconds): "They did a fantastic job and I wanted to make sure you heard about it. You should be very proud. Thanks for your support and have a great weekend! Bye."

The entire interaction should take less than 60 seconds.

 

The Quick Email Template:

Subject: Great News about [Student’s Name] in [Your Subject/Class]!

Dear [Parent Name],

I wanted to send a quick note about the fantastic effort [Student’s Name] put in today.

They showed excellent leadership skills during our group work session and their thoughtful contributions really elevated the discussion. It’s wonderful to see their commitment in class.

I hope you have a great week!

Warm regards, [Your Name]

 

Why This Works: The Emotional Bank Account

This strategy isn't just a nice thing to do—it's a critical professional skill rooted in behavioural science.

 

1. The Power of Unexpected Positivity

When you deliver good news proactively, it creates an immediate sense of appreciation and gratitude. The parent is genuinely surprised and pleased. This positive experience is deposited into the "emotional bank account." When or if, you need to make a reactive, challenging call later, you are drawing from a surplus of goodwill, making the difficult conversation much easier to handle.

 

2. Reinforcing Desired Behaviour

When you call home to praise effort, kindness or responsibility, you are dramatically increasing the chances of that behaviour being repeated. The student knows their positive actions were noticed and communicated. This positive reinforcement loop is far more powerful than focusing solely on correction.

 

3. Building Trust and Partnership

Positive contact reframes the relationship from one of suspicion or anxiety to one of genuine partnership. It communicates to the parent: "I see your child not just as a student but as an individual with valuable character traits and I’m on your team." This trust is invaluable when a real problem needs to be solved collaboratively.

 

4. Boosting Staff Morale

Searching for and articulating positive moments is a powerful tool for teacher well-being. It forces you to consciously look for the good in your students and your work, combating the negativity bias that often dominates the end of a busy week.

Start small, stay consistent and watch the goodwill flood back into your classroom relationships. A few minutes of proactive praise each week is the best investment you can make in your professional capital.

 

 

Sources

The concept of proactive positive communication and the "emotional bank account" is widely referenced in professional development for educators and school leaders:

• Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. This seminal work popularised the metaphor of the "Emotional Bank Account," which applies directly to building trust and goodwill in professional and personal relationships, including those between teachers and parents.
• Mendler, A. N. (2012). Discipline with Dignity: How to Handbook. Advocates for relationship-building strategies, noting that students (and their parents) are more receptive to feedback and correction when a foundation of respect and positive regard is established.
• Educational Behaviour Management Literature: Numerous resources in classroom management and positive behaviour interventions support the high-frequency use of positive reinforcement and proactive, non-contingent (not tied to problem-solving) interactions to improve student behaviour and parent partnership.