TL;DR:
- This post focuses on learning our own lessons as educators. We can inspire ourselves with the things we teach our students.
- We can learn our own lessons by realizing we are a community, knowing we all have a voice and matter, having integrity, always doing our best, and knowing we are better together.
Learning Our Own Lessons: Inspiring Ourselves with the Things We Teach Kids
As educators, we recognize the need for social emotional learning. We hold class meetings, we encourage kindness, and we build positive relationships between the children in our care. In spite of the challenges we face, educators care and try with their students. Sometimes, these efforts transfer to our daily interactions with one another.
Caring for and educating our students requires so much of educators that we sometimes forget about learning our own lessons. We need to continually inspire ourselves with the things we teach our kids. These lessons from our classrooms can serve as valuable reminders about caring for ourselves and the adults by our sides, who give so much of themselves every day.
Caring for and educating our students requires so much of educators that we sometimes forget about learning our own lessons. We need to continually inspire ourselves with the things we teach our kids. Click To TweetWe Are a Community
Community-building exercises are the focus in most classrooms early in a new school year. Building a school community takes time and effort. I have worked in many schools which featured carnivals and fun days, spirit days and pancake breakfasts. These things are fun for students and staff alike, but a community feel among staff members is important, too.
Our jobs are tough, and we need to feel we have support all around us. Staff members, just like kids, need to feel they are surrounded by friendly faces, and that help and kindness are just a classroom away. This can be achieved by celebrating one another, not just on special occasions, but for the little successes, too.
We Each Have a Voice
I teach my sixth graders to express themselves without fear and to listen to one another without judgment. On most days, this makes for a comfortable and engaging environment. When faculty and staff adopt this type of policy in their midst, it allows us all to grow. A staff member should always feel that what they have to say has value. Faculty meetings, staff rooms, and committee gatherings need to be a forum for everyone.
This means not just those who hold the popular opinion, or those who embrace the path of least resistance…everyone. Being willing to share our opinions, knowledge and feelings, while growing through the contributions of others, makes a school inviting for all.
We All Matter
#YouMatter is posted on my classroom door. Most teachers endeavour to help their students internalize this message. I have been a part of some very good schools, where every child and staff member had a place. On such a staff, the adults make each other feel appreciated and important. From administration to part-time supervisory staff, our unique personalities and talents are celebrated. In such a setting, the message is clear: age, experience, roles, and Pinterest-worthy classrooms are not what really matter. People are.
We Have Integrity
Teachers all over the world stress honesty with their students. Not only does this encourage a key virtue, but it helps us to build an authentic and caring classroom community. Ideally, staff members relate to each other in this way. Information is offered to all concerned parties with a sincere and transparent approach. Staff members are genuine with one another and positive school culture is upheld whether or not a building leader is immediately present.
We Always Do Our Best
When I taught kindergarten, this was posted in our classroom. At my current school, our motto is “Don’t wish for it, work for it!” The value of doing one’s best (whatever that may look like) is at the center of many school cultures. A positive staff group consistently follows their own advice. On a strong staff, there are no committees where one person does all the work. There is no grade-level team where only one or two people care and try. Everyone contributes the best they can, with the gifts, time, and energy they have.
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We Are Better Together
In a class grouping, this refers to all the students. No exceptions. On a staff, this should mean the same. Different friend groups occur naturally among a school staff and this is to be expected. However, problems can arise if one group is valued more than another: by an administrator, by the parent community, or even by the staff members themselves. This is not at all true in a strong staff culture.
We, educators, are unique and special individuals. We are charged with the responsibility of guiding and nurturing children’s social and academic lives. Mutual support and collective talent make for a fabulous environment for kids. They also make coming to school a joy for the adults in the building. If we truly believe we’re better together, we can achieve anything!
I have been part of some amazing staff groups in my career. I have worked with people I admired and trusted, many of whom remained my dear friends even when we no longer spent eight hours a day in the same building. Admittedly, I have lived through some painful experiences. I have also been blessed to learn and grow with many incredible educators. I look forward to continuing my journey, inspired by the things we teach kids.
About Sandra Weir
Sandra Weir lives in Québec, Canada. She has taught every grade from Junior Kindergarten to Grade Eight. Sandra is currently a Grade Six English and Math teacher. She is a wife, mom to three wonderful adults, and a definite dog person.
