TL;DR: Having productive debates and conflicts can help teams move beyond the status quo. This can be difficult because, unlike the corporate world, teachers have little time within the day to collaborate. Constructive collaboration is necessary to move teachers forward rather than avoiding conflict because it is easier. Show me which topic or issues cause your school staff to “Circle … Read More
Leading With Questions
TL;DR: Many meetings are not so much a dialogue as a monologue. When you plan a meeting, ask yourself what the purpose is. Lead with questions and know the right questions to ask. Do teachers have a seat at a meeting or a seat and a voice? Moving from Monologues to Dialogues Questions provide the opportunity for dialogue. Unfortunately, many … Read More
Age is really just a NUMBER!
TL;DR: Ageism is a valuable topic to reflect on and discuss. There are collaborative strategies you can use to increase student engagement in discussions. As the year goes by, we think of our age as an accomplishment, a number that made meaningful moments matter and time really does fly by. What is important to consider is how age contributes to … Read More
We’re All a Part of the Bigger Picture: Support Each Other
TL;DR: Having meaningful relationships with your coworkers is important. Co-teachers should find time to collaborate and support one another. Build relationships with your department or grade-level teams. Reach out to your administration with any questions or needs. Administrators, check in with your teachers and offer encouragement. We are all in this together and have a common goal. There are many … Read More
Making the First Day Last
TL;DR: Leverage first week get to know yous for long-term relationships. Mini challenges are a great way to observe group dynamics. Create seating charts and small groups based on collective strength. Bring transparency and group sharing to PLCs and admin teams. As teachers, we learn so much about our students in the first six weeks of the school year. We … Read More