Abstract:

This paper aims to present a theoretical framework of counseling skills in teachers' professional communication to foster partnerships with parents and the role of continuing professional development. Modern educational and scientific-theoretical approaches are based on the principle that parental involvement is the foundation for the quality of the educational process. To respond to the diverse needs of students and parents, teachers need a certain level of knowledge, skills, and attitudes to build partnerships with parents. These competencies include professional communication as two-way and constructive communication aimed at building positive relationships and require a specific set of counseling skills for teachers. Teachers' counseling skills in professional communication with parents are of paramount importance as they enable effective interaction and enable teachers to fulfill their professional role in supporting parents. Teachers' high level of professionalism encourages parents to be actively involved in promoting students' well-being and to maintain a high-quality partnership with parents. Professional communication is key in building relationships with parents and students and creating a quality learning environment. Effective communication between teachers and parents requires the joint negotiation of roles and expectations, with professional communication between teachers and parents ensuring the quality of the relationship and the support of parents. This paper explores the rarely explored relationship between the theoretical concepts of professional communication and counseling skills in the context of teachers' professional role in fostering partnerships with parents. Drawing on the National Qualifications Framework for Teachers, which is based on European qualifications, a hypothetical framework outlines the relevance of these concepts to teachers' competence profiles and professional competencies.

Furthermore, this paper focuses on the critical examination and identification of the theoretical concepts and their practical applications, drawing on the knowledge embedded in the legal framework, the crucial role of parental involvement in children's education, and the importance of positive and constructive communication. Counseling skills in professional communication with parents enable teachers to competently address sensitive issues, build rapport, and create a supportive environment that promotes student success. Continuing professional development for teachers in this area helps to improve interactions with parents, encourage open dialogue, and work collaboratively on students' overall development and well-being.

Keywords:

Professional communication, counseling skills, parents, teachers, teacher-parent partnership.