As a principal, I deal with people everyday: staff, students and parents. Over the years I have gained wisdom, made mistakes, and learn something new everyday! In my current school the staff dynamics is challenging and mysterious. Is there anyone that can guide me through this maze of craziness?
I work with a group of staff members that spend everyday doing what they think is best for staff. I love to see the great lessons that engage students and motivate them to learn more. For the past 3 years I have been working on getting the staff to make small changes: getting them out of their comfort zone and trying new things. Many of them have embraced this concept. I have seen excitement, heard many success stories and have been amazed by their dedication and hard work. For me, change is welcome, new and exciting. What a surprise to me that there was a smaller group of staff that was resistant to making these changes.
As I realized that not everyone was as gung ho as I was, I read some books, some articles and talked to many people. I learned about the process of change and how different people react to it. I know that staff needs to be a part of the process of change. They need buy-in. I know that some will adapt quickly and some will need support and guidance. I made sure to communicate throughout the process (although this is an area that I can always improve in). I assumed that this small group of resistors would, with support, make the changes that were upon us. These were changes that we learned about together. Some were imposed upon us at the district level, and some changes were discussed, investigated, and decided upon by the staff. Three years later, I feel that I still have a small group of resistors that rock the boat every chance they get.
How can they come to work everyday and complain about everything? Although these teachers may not be bad teachers, they wear me down!
So, who has some pointers for me? How can I get them to get happy or get out? I've tried talking with them, compromising, motivating them. Heck, I've even tried bribery! Who can help?
I, along with others, share your concern about teachers unwilling to change for the benefit of students. If I had an answer to correct this behavior, I'd package it and be selling my magic solution to the masses, but I don't. I find refuge in talking with other professionals that keep me focused on the positive scenarios that happen on a daily basis. I have three bits of advice for you. 1) Don't allow the resistors to drag you down. Push toward the goal knowing you won't reach consensus. 2) If you haven't joined Twitter, do so immediately! Since joining, I have developed a PLN (professional learning network) of other leaders from around the world that I can tap for advice beyond my community. 3) You must know when to say that your talents are not able to be used to their fullest, because of the infertile ground that you are cultivating. Don't give up!!!
ReplyDeleteHere is my twitter info: http://twitter.com/adewitt2
Check out my blog as well: http://leading180days.wordpress.com/
I agree with Adam about not giving up! I have been a principal at my school for 8 years and it took a long time to implement any changes. While we have made some big changes, I still feel as though I'm constantly balancing the needs of many in the change process. I love your idea about involving a Leadership Team (last post) and found that, when I opened up the discussions to all who wanted to come, we started moving forward. Those who really just wanted to complain fell away and we created a positive team ready to move forward. Stay the course and know what are your "absolutes" and on what you can compromise. It's nice to share the load, so thanks for writing and sharing.
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