Difficult conversations can emerge at unexpected and inconvenient times with students, parents, and colleagues. Teachers frequently find themselves in meetings and interactions where emotions and tempers are running high. In situations like these, we may be at a loss at how to get communication “back on track.” Fortunately, there are techniques to de-escalate and re-orient our communication to add to our communication tool-kits. By applying current interpersonal communication research, attendees will learn how to use de-personalizing statements and advanced listening techniques to avoid defensiveness and diffuse tension. Learning Objectives: - Analyze how small group tensions emerge - Identify defensive messages - Use de-personalizing messages to diffuse high-tension interactions