Reverse Mentoring - Parents Teaching Teachers

Reverse Mentoring is designed as a workshop format where parents share their specific knowledge (e.g., on youth trends, digital media, crafts, or soft skills) with teachers. The teacher takes on the role of the learner.

✍️ Brigitta Rupp, PBÖ
Download PDF
⏱️ Duration 1 school hour
🔄 Frequency Over a longer period
👥 Target Group Teachers, School Management, Parents
🎯

Purpose

This mentoring approach encourages mutual learning and reduces prejudice.
Teachers experience relief from the pressure of "knowing everything" and discover parents as valuable sources of knowledge.
The shared learning process creates joy (Fun) and strengthens mutual appreciation.

✅

Use and Learning Outcomes

  • 1. Promoting a positive learning atmosphere among adults.
  • 2. Breaking down rigid roles and hierarchies.
  • 3. Increasing knowledge for teachers in real-world topics (e.g., AI, social media, crafts).
  • 4. Strengthening teachers' respect for the parents' life experiences.
  • 5. Increasing the "fun factor" in cooperation.
💡

Wellbeing References

Basic Needs

🏆 Power 😊 Fun

Quality Dimensions

School culture Parent involvement
📋

Details & Preparation

🏫

Room Requirements

Staff room or classroom with a projector/presentation facilities.

⏳

Time for preparation

20 minutes

📝

Preparation

Identify and invite interested parents (e.g., via the "Parents' Expertise Market").
Invite the staff.

🧰

Materials

Moderation kit
Beamer
Refreshments (coffee/cookies)

👣

Sequence of Steps

1

Topic Matching

⏱ before the workshop
The school management or a group of teachers ask the staff: "What have you always wanted to learn from parents?" (e.g., "How does TikTok work?" or "modern project management").
2

Expert Briefing

⏱ 10 minutes
A short conversation between the organizor of the workshop and the parent to set the stage (interactive exchange rather than a lecture).
3

The Workshop

⏱ 45 minutes
The parent gives a short presentation.
This is followed by an open Q&A session or a small practical exercise for the teachers.
4

Role Reflection

⏱ 5 minutes
Short exchange at the end: How did it feel to swap roles? What can we apply to our teaching?
5

"Thanks"

⏱ 2 minutes
The parent receives a "thank you" (e.g. symbolic "Guest Lecturer Certificate").
💭

Reflection & Tips

Reflection

Was I able to fully embrace the role of the learner?
What new things did I learn about the parents' perspective?

Tips for Implementation

Keep the atmosphere relaxed.
The goal is not perfection, but the exchange of real-life experiences.