by Karen Boyes
As students and teaching becomes more and more complex, and you face the daily battle of the paper war, a focus on teachers needs is paramount. An incredible number of teachers I talk to are disillusioned with teaching. They have lost the passion, forgotten why they started teaching in the first place.
Teaching used to be one of the most revered professions. I believe it still is. As teachers we affect the lives of over 1 million people in our lifetime. Not only do we affect the students on our classrooms, but their families, their parent’s workplaces, and this is not just for the year we teach these students, it’s lifelong.
Think back to your own schooling. How are some of your teachers still influencing you today - both positively and negatively?
I often remember Stephen Covey’s advice to parents in his book “7 Habits of Highly Effective Families” - “ You are not bringing up your children, you are bringing up your grandchildren”.
I believe this has parallels with teaching. You are not teaching the students in your classroom, you are educating the next generation of this country. I personally think this is an exciting place to be, shaping the future of Australia and the world.
So how can you make teaching more desirable. What can you do to the teaching environment to make a difference?....
Here are some ideas I have introduced into my own company and team as well as schools....
**Create A Vision:** What do you stand for. What are your goals as a school - not just for the students, but also for the teaching and administration team... Think BIG ... What would the best teaching environment in the world look like? What would it sound like, feel like and smell like? Paint a picture of it with your team and hold on to this each day as you strive to move towards it.
**Develop a Team Culture: ** How do you want relationships within your team to be like? What are the rules of the game? Schools have rules and agreements for students but what about teachers. Students are expected to be on time, what about teachers? At Spectrum Education we have 12 Points of Culture, that provide the framework for all we do. These include communication, balance, fun, teamwork, commitment, ownership, integrity, and excellence. (for a copy please email the Spectrum Office on info@spectrumeducation.com) Develop the rules of the game...
**Have Stand Up Meetings: ** Meetings are a necessity of the job .... To shorten meetings have all participants stand ... I guarantee the meeting will be the quickest, most efficient you have ever had!
**Create a Structure For Meetings: ** Have an outline and structure that you always stick to. Start with an inspirational saying, quote, song or poem etc. Move on to allow your team to have what I call “Burning Shares.” Each person comes to the meeting after a day of work and may have exciting events to share, something a child has just achieved etc. Allow each team member time to share these... You may also have a time at the beginning of a meeting for everyone to say “What's On Top” - anything they need to say to focus them on the meeting. Once issues are aired and said out loud, most people feel better, rather than sitting through a meeting thinking about it. End your meetings with a ritual, so it is clear they have finished. There is nothing worse than wondering ‘can I go now?’
**Have Staff room Beautification Days: ** These are fun. It’s a time when your team can create a place they want to spend time in. Each time I’ve facilitated this, people have brought in plants, posters and cushions etc. Furniture gets moved, walls painted, artwork renewed and areas are often created for relaxation and work. If you do this on a non teaching day - come dressed in casual attire and play music as you work. This day is always a great team builder.
**Give to Receive: ** Several years ago I participated on a 7 day workshop for teenagers with over 100 teens and 40-50 staff members. It was a challenging week. One way the staff kept morale up was to send little positive, cheerful notes to each other. For the first three days I didn’t get any. Then I realised I hadn’t sent any. As soon as I sent one, six came back. As teachers you give to students all day but what about team members. The fastest way to get a smile, is to give one. Random acts of kindness - just doing the little things to make people feel special, should not only be reserved for Christmas, Birthdays and Special Occasions. Make everyday special.
**Celebrate All the Little Wins: ** Celebrate everyday the work you are doing. Even if its by simply acknowledging it. The work of a teacher is one of the most important jobs. Value it. Celebrate it.
**Provide extra special fun for teachers: ** While at the recent Principals conference in Christchurch I met an Australian Principal who provides extra fun for her team. During staff development days she always organises something extra special as a surprise ... For example; one day a reflexologist came in and gave each teacher a 15 minute foot massage. Another day, they had a 30 minute aromatherapy party after lunch before continuing on with curriculum documents. A school in Auckland I worked at last year,the day before Easter, had an egg decorating competition during the lunch break. Prizes were awarded for originality and creativity. Such a simple thing gave the day an extra shine.
What could you do to help create an amazing teaching environment to work in???
Karen Boyes is the head facilitator at Spectrum Education Ltd, Australasia’s Leading Teaching & Learning Specialists. For information about inservice workshops please call 64 4 5289969 or email info@spectrumeducation.com
**Check out our website at [http://www.spectrumeducation.com www.spectrumeducation.com] and shop online for books and educational resources. **
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