|
|
Posted by:
Sally Harrison
K-12 Classroom teacher
Lynnwood, WA
Topic:
Identify Common Benefits
Message:
I am committed to the notion that there is common benefit to both the district and the association in insuring that all teachers are competent and confident and that all teachers have the maximum flexibility available to select from their own rich repertoire of the most effective practices to improve student learning. Conversations about such common benefits among district and association leadership, the finding of common ground, begins the collaborative work. If either district or association leadership members aren't yet able to find the common benefits, I would suggest that time and money are invested in creating common experiences that reveal those benefits. Visit colleagues. Attend conferences together. Provide a neutral facilitator who will allow all of the unasked questions to be put on the table. Be sure to include Board members, so that the key players know each other as individuals and know the beliefs, values, hopes and fears of each other.
Be open to starting in a place where you may not personally have chosen, but that you see will build early success. To change attitudes, we need to first change behavior, see the effectiveness of those changes for students, and then attitudes will follow. So, start with staff willingness to change those behaviors that they believe will improve student performance, support and celebrate those changes, and insure that the association is seen as a partner in the work. Be generous with your time and generous with your acknowledgment of the collaborative work the association offers.
Err on the side of taking the risk to share with the association the concerns you have on behalf of students, or share the load that state initiatives bring to the district and together determine a course of action. Don't withhold information from parents, the community or students, regarding their perspectives of what's needed to improve the quality of education. Invite the association leadership team to offer joint district-association presentations to community groups about what the collaborative efforts will accomplish. Remember that teachers became teachers to change the world, child by child. Respect that commitment and open up conversations in determining the types of professional learning support teachers would like to see. Listen well.
To reply, please first log into The Knowledge Loom
Back Return to the Forum
|
|
1203
1206
1200
