Parent Feedback Strategies: Building Trust & Retention with Ryan Ermeling

Parent Feedback Strategies: Building Trust & Retention with Ryan Ermeling Are you struggling with parent feedback that feels more like crisis management than community building? Discover how rethinking your approach to family engagement can transform school culture, boost retention, and strengthen relationships. Join host Bridget Johnson with Ryan Ermeling, founder of ParentPulse, for practical strategies to move beyond fear-based feedback toward systematic, trust-building partnerships with families. In this episode, Ryan shares insights from working with nearly 300 private and independent schools, revealing why traditional annual surveys fall short and how continuous feedback loops create healthier school communities. Learn about the concept of "Post-Traumatic Feedback Disorder" that affects school leaders, the impact of school choice on parent expectations, and actionable systems for listening, engaging, and acting on parent input without burnout. Featured Guest: Ryan Ermeling is the founder of ParentPulse and a recognized leader in K-12 parent engagement strategies. Since launching ParentPulse in 2022, he has partnered with nearly 300 private and independent schools to revolutionize how educational institutions collect, understand, and act on parent feedback. His innovative approach transforms traditional survey methods into continuous, trust-based relationship-building systems that help schools navigate heightened parent expectations while strengthening community bonds. Key Topics: • Understanding "Post-Traumatic Feedback Disorder" and why school leaders fear parent input • How school choice and consumer expectations are reshaping parent-school dynamics • The Listen-Engage-Act framework: Moving beyond one-time surveys to systematic feedback • Why small, responsive actions build more trust than perfect initiatives Addressing anonymous feedback while maintaining two-way dialogue • Using feedback systems as retention tools during re-enrollment season • Creating a culture where stakeholders feel heard, valued, and psychologically safe 🕐 KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 - Welcome to The Table 00:27 - Introducing Ryan Ermeling and ParentPulse 01:05 - Understanding PTFD: Post-Traumatic Feedback Disorder 03:06 - Shifting parent expectations in the school choice era 04:40 - The Listen-Engage-Act feedback framework 06:06 - Small wins matter: The picnic table story 08:40 - Why schools get stuck and stop at listening 11:20 - Building systematic approaches to feedback 14:00 - The competitive landscape and parent expectations 17:20 - Overcoming fear and building trust through feedback 20:40 - How ParentPulse differs from traditional survey tools 23:20 - Continuous feedback vs. single-point-in-time surveys 26:00 - Using feedback for re-enrollment and retention 27:00 - Feedback as relationship-building and belonging 28:17 - Final advice: Systematize your feedback approach 📚 RESOURCES: Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-stud... LinkedIn:   / bridget-johnson510   Email: [email protected] Learn more about ParentPulse: https://www.parentpulse.com/ 💡 ABOUT THE TABLE PODCAST SERIES: The Table Podcast Series, hosted by Bridget Johnson, is the go-to resource for student life professionals, K-12 educational leaders, and deans navigating today's complex educational landscape. Drawing from over two decades of experience and expertise in restorative practices, Bridget delivers expert conversations on leadership, crisis management, inclusive communities, and evidence-based strategies that transform school culture. 👉 TAKE ACTION: • Subscribe for weekly insights on educational leadership and student life best practices • Share this episode with colleagues navigating parent engagement challenges Join the conversation: How is your school systematizing parent feedback? Turn on notifications to never miss an episode #thetablepodcast #deansroundtable #parentengagement #schoolchoice #independentschools #privateschools #educationalleadership #k12leadership #parentfeedback #schoolretention #studentlife #schoolculture #familyengagement #schooladministration #trustbuilding #parentcommunication #enrollmentmanagement #schoolleadership #educationpodcast #studentaffairs #deanofstudents #schoolcommunity