What
In today’s reflection, I remember how physically tiring it was to go back to the classroom after eight years away. I also recognize how overloaded many of our administrators are in their day-to-day grind. I give a special shout-out to all my principal friends because we KNOW you are tired.
Why
The purpose of my reflection today is to remind us all as educators to consider the other side and empathize with those who play different roles in the school or district. It’s so easy to get sucked in - on either side - to feeling like nobody understands what your stress is like, to think your job is the hardest. Spoiler alert: all jobs have their challenges and their perks.
We come together to solve problems and get things done. Having empathy for one another will give us a hit-the-ground-running advantage.
How
Administrators - Want greater productivity? Give teachers opportunities to do things that some normal humans (who aren’t closely supervising children all day) get to do on the regular. Allow for breaks, arrange for healthy treats, hold the meeting outside, send an email if you don’t need to meet in person, ask teachers what self-care would make a difference in their week, pop into their classroom for a few minutes, and tell them you’ve got it covered, organize something fun for the staff to do that gets them laughing, push off that extra initiative if you can so teachers can focus on doing fewer things really well. Publicly thank them. Privately support them. Remember things about their lives and be sensitive to things that pull them out of the classroom. No teacher likes writing sub plans to take care of their sick kiddo.
Teachers - Want to better partner with your administration? Consider the level of your need when you approach an administrator. Our daily time constraints can make issues sometimes seem more pressing than they truly are. Plus, we’re natural problem solvers, and we want answers and solutions! However, pulling an administrator out of a meeting, interrupting their lunch, paging them, or sending several long panicked emails or voicemails should be reserved for true emergencies. Schedule face-to-face time if you need a conversation. Keep email communication professional and succinct. Be flexible if something pops up that prevents them from getting to you right away. They may look cool on the outside, but sometimes there are crazy things they can’t talk about going on behind the scenes. Ask them how they are when you see them. Thank them when something is done well.
Be well,
Stephanie
In today’s reflection, I remember how physically tiring it was to go back to the classroom after eight years away. I also recognize how overloaded many of our administrators are in their day-to-day grind. I give a special shout-out to all my principal friends because we KNOW you are tired.
Why
The purpose of my reflection today is to remind us all as educators to consider the other side and empathize with those who play different roles in the school or district. It’s so easy to get sucked in - on either side - to feeling like nobody understands what your stress is like, to think your job is the hardest. Spoiler alert: all jobs have their challenges and their perks.
We come together to solve problems and get things done. Having empathy for one another will give us a hit-the-ground-running advantage.
How
Administrators - Want greater productivity? Give teachers opportunities to do things that some normal humans (who aren’t closely supervising children all day) get to do on the regular. Allow for breaks, arrange for healthy treats, hold the meeting outside, send an email if you don’t need to meet in person, ask teachers what self-care would make a difference in their week, pop into their classroom for a few minutes, and tell them you’ve got it covered, organize something fun for the staff to do that gets them laughing, push off that extra initiative if you can so teachers can focus on doing fewer things really well. Publicly thank them. Privately support them. Remember things about their lives and be sensitive to things that pull them out of the classroom. No teacher likes writing sub plans to take care of their sick kiddo.
Teachers - Want to better partner with your administration? Consider the level of your need when you approach an administrator. Our daily time constraints can make issues sometimes seem more pressing than they truly are. Plus, we’re natural problem solvers, and we want answers and solutions! However, pulling an administrator out of a meeting, interrupting their lunch, paging them, or sending several long panicked emails or voicemails should be reserved for true emergencies. Schedule face-to-face time if you need a conversation. Keep email communication professional and succinct. Be flexible if something pops up that prevents them from getting to you right away. They may look cool on the outside, but sometimes there are crazy things they can’t talk about going on behind the scenes. Ask them how they are when you see them. Thank them when something is done well.
Be well,
Stephanie