8 Ways to Make a Great First Impression at Your Open House
1. Smile. A
smile fills you with warmth and confidence.
People like to be around other people who are happy and
enthusiastic. People like to look at
your eyes to get a sense of who you are.
Body language studies show that if you raise your eyebrows in
conversation you convey that you are positive and authentic. Look people in the eyes, but do not glare or
stare.
2 2. Greet people at the door when they enter your
room. Remain standing throughout your
presentation. Do not sit down to talk to
a group of parents or visitors to your room or office. Standing shows energy and with-it-ness.
3. Shake hands and greet people with a firm
handshake, but not one to squish their fingers.
4.
Treat everyone like they have the power to
change your destiny. Everyone should be treated with respect and importance when they meet with you.
5.
The little details matter. Wear professional dress and suit it up. Stand up straight with your shoulders
back. Have a fresh cut or style to your
hair. Have a breath mint or spray on
hand. Sometimes when you get nervous
your mouth gets dry and this could make you feel like your tongue is sticking
to your teeth. Do not use a piece of
gum. No one wants to see you chew away
while you are talking or worse yet, see the piece of gum in your mouth!
6.
Prepare your two minute elevator speech. This is what you want to say about your
classroom or practice or what you do.
Include the main details. At the
end include something personal about yourself, for example you might want to
end with something like, “On a personal note, I have two children and a
wonderful husband of eight years.” Or “I
love to travel and I will be helping to chaperone the school trip to Spain this
summer.” People like to know people and what they do. They are naturally curious. Be willing to share one item of personal interest like a hobby, pet, or something
interesting about your family. Teachers and
counselors are in positions of authority and parents like knowing you are
human. Some of them may even be
intimidated by you. Do not be too
personal. One item is enough.
7.
Have some material for everyone to take with
them when they leave. Everyone should
walk away with something in their hand.
This could be as simple as a business card with your email and/or
website. You might have a flyer with
school information and special hours
when you can be contacted easily.
8.
Open house and Parent Informational Nights are
not the time for personal consultations or counseling sessions. They will have
questions and concerns. Let them know gently, but firmly, you will be
happy to talk with them later, but not at this event. The
contact information is on the card or in the flyer. “I will look forward to your call.”
http://counselorgames.com/
Don't Stress - Click here for a stress workbook
This workbook is reproducible for your students, parents, or faculty. It includes self-assessments and costs less than $3.
LIKE us on Facebook at Counselor Games.
https://www.facebook.com/counselorgames
Grace Wilhelm is a National Board Certified Counselor
with over sixteen years experience. She enthusiastically presents to
counselors, teachers, youth workers, and parents on anger, stress,
crises intervention, communication, data, counseling programs, play
sessions, and more.
Mrs.
Wilhelm has been awarded ASCA National School Counselor of the Year
Semifinalist, RAMP, and FLDOE Parent Involvement Award. She has written
student workbooks on anger control and stress management. She has
completed two DVDs on Games and Play to Enhance Counseling and Teaching
Strategies: Creative Ways to Engage Students in Small Groups, Classrooms
or Individual Counseling Sessions.
Speaking engagements have
taken Grace as far away as Papua New Guinea. She currently resides in
Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Mark and three children. She
enjoys traveling, genealogy and playing the violin.
goals, making priorities, change what doesn't work, build new plans. 
