principals dealing with difficult teachers

<>14]/P 21 0 R/Pg 39 0 R/S/Link>> Teachers shouldn't have to manage behaviour issues by themselves Educators should be encouraged to learn from each other. "When the difficult parent approaches you with the issues, always let them speak first," Wong advises. part 4: communicating with the difficult teacher. It may make sense to have an administrator near the most difficult staff. Such an attitude isn't restricted to senior staff members. If you are not satisfied with this course of action, perhaps you should report the principals actions to someone further up the chain of command, but make sure you have done your part by having a heart-to-heart with your principal. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. 0000004609 00000 n We recommend developing a script for what you will say in the meeting; a script will keep you on track and better able to deal with the emotions that may come up. 0000109011 00000 n in sociology and has taught school for more than a decade in public and private settings. Even if your style is more open, if you're new, teachers may go underground with their negativity because their past leader was autocratic. But the fault lies with administrators who look the other way or avoid taking on those whose ineptitude, negativity and destructive behavior are the cause of education-bashing. Spanish-English dictionary, translator, and learning, Marketplace for millions of educator-created resources. If you let people know you're really interested in listening to their complaints or worries and using their perspective to guide change, they'll be more willing to share with you. If I as principal feel uncomfortable addressing a negative or underperforming teacher, how doe others feel? Ineffective leadership is, without question, the primary cause of the emergence of difficult teachers. endobj % Dealing with Difficult Teachers (Eye on Education Books). 1 0 obj Focus on supporting the teacher as long as she or he meets reasonable expectations. Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2014. Use reflecting skills to better understand the teacher's perspective. \0U+R+STcw.O!ey^? uuid:0a9c1730-b396-11b2-0a00-3006fa010000 Organization allows a teacher to accomplish more on a day-to-day basis and minimizes disruptions in the classroom. Set productive ground rules for staff behavior, such as allowing one party to complete his or her side of the story before you rebut; being ready to talk about both the positives and the challenges associated with new ideas; and keeping the discussion focused on the topic, not the person. School Shootings This Year: How Many and Where, Kids' Declining Mental Health Is the 'Crisis of Our Time,' Surgeon General Says. There is no school leader out there, if s/he really cares about the students, who will not learn something or at least feel vindicated in her/his interactions with difficult teachers. Leadership can mean taking the initiative to fill an area of need. 0000002460 00000 n <> PDF Working with Difficult & Resistant Staff - Solution Tree - consistently say "it won't work" when any new idea is suggested. This means that you dont need to set up a formal meeting. To switch between accounts click on the account below. <>10]/P 20 0 R/Pg 39 0 R/S/Link>> He was also a middle school coordinator in charge of staffing, curriculum, and technology for the opening of new middle schools. By Angela Watson. Principals trust teachers who exhibit characteristics of professionalism at all times. An Educator's Survival Guide for Dealing with Difficult Parents bcN a^ r-Bn[>7!6T^7L!-[16B62);1h0a F2){U`} /4x#PM%gWnw(AW*a::>Uj]OM5[Nf6O~a:~ ]7fF\Al&K$:Z;lhL6%!]duuYMY&5@v.^G;P"H-0 !J,,!x9Z|)YGK5}x O0y?9F? It not only instructs how to deal with difficult teachers but it also develops an image of how the principal should behave, respond and professionally handle situations. 0000015138 00000 n In most cases, a student should not advance a grade level without demonstrating considerable growth and improvement from where they began the year. Dealing with Difficult Teachers, Third Edition - MiddleWeb Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/build-a-trusting-relationship-with-their-principal-3194349. If you argue with a difficult teacher or student it probably wont go well since they probably already have more skill at arguing than you do. To see our price, add these items to your cart. 3 0 obj Meador, Derrick. 0000002021 00000 n endobj endobj endobj endobj xVj@}d]AHqM #9r}iwVv%[T ]gsfp}}5?1ir qiir &%4}O~ccqLYXDX \qAIJa$, Dealing with Difficult Teachers, Second Edition - amazon.com Educators should be encouraged to learn from each other. <> Or give the teacher a choice between several tasks. Put in place positive processes to hear and evaluate your faculty's concerns as you implement any change or initiative. Follow these steps to help make the school year bearablefor you and your child: Nobody said school was easy on kids, teaching is even harder, and parenting is no piece of cakebut with empathy, understanding and cooperation, you can make things easier for everyone. Spend Extra Time Working in Your Classroom, 19. Principals trust teachers who are highly prepared. : Please try your request again later. Dealing with Difficult Staff Handle Conflict Well By Eddie Renz April 26, 2019 Dealing with Difficult Staff No matter what profession you are in, you will work with others that you may not particularly get along with. Lewis, Beth. 4 0 obj endobj His website is www.ToddWhitaker.com and his Twitter handle is @ToddWhitaker. endobj Whitaker does a great job in this short read providing examples and techniques for working with our most difficult teachers.. This is just a normal part of life. There may come a time when you have to deal with a difficult principal, and I just want you to be prepared. endobj &G ddbV5~zgsKsEhlqY2HC+D:g%+%&&lv-!b=Kq1W %N.7Fx`swJ6>s2^93Fio;JW@_m 2zBz5IzDnV7)6IP]ZxP}CD38e=B1P'76J[x{^||VxKdy#I,o tYS7 oTu3~hmsjS}sdox;vQotrau0U+HUVcZ^A%EWfe:EWiL;PYxP{qE' 5Q!Rk5~>~oK:R0R~JwC\Abm hB ^Qti(]YxEE+,HdVo[4uy|}3z^D;Vt(.Vv")N#*z exup. R (.^qQB(#+.#+.|^m/ C Teachers Dealing with Difficult Staff | Teacher Certification | iteach Keep a log of all conversations, the subject matters, dates, times, and duration of his classroom visits. Fundraise for Your School with Fun and Games. %PDF-1.7 % I had excellent relationships with my colleagues and my building principals, who served as a support system during times of uncertainty and difficulty. No teacher should attempt to tackle a problem alone. Challenge #1: Promoting A Compelling "Why" If school. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Set goals, be straightforward, and try to give him what he seeks. Try again. As an aspiring administrator it gave me a lot of food for thought. The teacher may brag about the fact that nobody can make him or her do anything. Principals trust teachers who do not mind when they visit the classroom. Like Gloria, an underminer may agree with you in person but work to derail your goals in private. Previously, I thought difficult staff members were just plain difficult. Teachers cannot be rigid in their approach. 0000005786 00000 n <> <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 16 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 3>> Be cautious when giving written praise to someone you want to dismiss consider using only verbal praise. Principals rely on those that they trust to help them get certain things done. We dont allow this by our students - so why should we allow our teachers to use this excuse? 1 We consider school climate to be the day-to-day working atmosphere in a school; school culture is the permanent structures, beliefs, and practices that anchor that school. 8. X RR/>(_?5b)a=WeUuqfin^V_VoO^6U6l\7S=zjMzS(lxmW4 Tq 9z7^7;>U>+;ND'm:QXY^]WuVWn[~z]VW_EUFTF FQvzY;9wj)uwFw(:|3EO#3EEG'8zzAlN>X ^rbl ?Md&0a[:Ox@>4('VW7*)"%1RG{J$6$C[Fu*z+2A'pzP%'{8'Ju\"pDC *'a XZw>!%VXRv7IC}f]jUG!M]r-7u`86Ta>~A:yp;8MZ[1>nmgu`BBc/0. <> You may notice that. Top 6 Tips for Navigating a Problem Principal - ThoughtCo << /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> For example, tell a younger teacher that you want him to gain from the content knowledge of the more senior teacher, and tell the older teacher you want him to gain new presentation ideas from the younger one. You'll sense it if and when he steps over the line. 1 6E/!0(CU02MX8_}6S5dtgb6Cp@iv@4BOpkpN|@'x@5a~k*AII8Gt2SL/J";(/:?lkSD$#$x/ ThoughtCo. endobj endobj If you help the on-the-job retiree feel like a valued leader whom you and the school will miss, you'll motivate the potential coaster to want to pass the torch. endobj When they are going to be gone, it is important to give notification as early as possible. Discover ASCD's Professional Learning Services. AppendPDF Pro 6.3 Linux 64 bit Aug 30 2019 Library 15.0.4 26 0 obj Use peer pressure to engage the employee. If a teacher realizes that you are aware of an inappropriate behavior, you must have dialogue regarding the behavior. mR$MJ=^8@#8E}W3E*isX? YPjnX4x*c89 Dealing With Angry Parents | Education World 0000001934 00000 n 4 How to Deal With Teachers . <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 29 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 1>> Nothing disrupts a school faster than a split amongst the faculty. endstream An underminer can equally damage school climate and culture by. 12 0 obj A teacher who is unwilling to open their classroom seems like they are hiding something that can lead to distrust. Response: Challenges Principals Face & How to Respond to Them Unfortunately, almost every teacher is faced with an irate . %%EOF xb```f``)g`c`bd@ AGx4QAAAc8F*|27<>PuAA\tEwjI5`]58z+uq4Y)5u{H2l( l]1=BFGe^TM-K\vIUQ!~ORK*?GP8Spd;ME'M{IP_@-S^e%Ql)!6dx_$MG0N*/"VYlAGIe8h$o|@@Dbi8='rr`XTf3i?aJ2G~B(k^2Nph4 Ag M Politics latest updates: NHS 'on the brink' says nursing union; 10% You should never argue, use sarcasm, or raise your voice at a student or teacher. , ISBN-13 endobj 0000091274 00000 n Derrick Meador, M.Ed., is the superintendent for Jennings Public Schools in Oklahoma. endstream Underminers may develop as a result of unnecessarily controlling, autocratic leadership, which gives few opportunities to positively resolve issues. Use this as a rule of thumb: Teachers must initiate contact with parents before sending them to the principal (unless the event is dramatic). 0 Principals often lose countless hours dealing with these employees and then find nothing has improved. They expect their teachers to follow all reporting and departure procedures. 0000055459 00000 n Then send your curated collection to your children, or put together your own custom lesson plan. The most effective way to deal with students is also the most effective way to deal with teachers. <> Dr. Todd Whitaker has been fortunate to be able to blend his passion with his career. %PDF-1.3 So the principal issues a reminder via the all-powerful memo. The funny thing is that it was usually over some petty matter or a product of miscommunication. It is relevant and helpful to my current situation. Develop an open communication channel to ensure that any potential underminer informs yourather than othersabout his or her concerns, no matter how unpleasant or trivial. 1 0 obj Principals want teachers to be independent decision makers capable of dealing with minor issues on their own. endobj Put a "Concerns-Based Suggestion Box" in the teacher work room, or periodically meet with staff members individually to explore their ideas and concerns. Also, consider always using food and/or snacks in your meetings. endobj xUj@}qUdZm !@%*yh "9V8UjM,YD3>#89;qtD! N/h)BAGV#1xb"e8tjLLQ&E-XJUVc/F'&'INDYDgenQ~NUZY/$d.$A['js A=WpJs3"EiFI-H%H_ stream <>4]/P 6 0 R/Pg 39 0 R/S/Link>> We have seen eight major types of difficult staff members in action. endobj 10 0 obj Professionalism is having the ability to handle yourself in a manner that reflects positively on the school you represent. 0000026008 00000 n Vital wisdom for all teacher leaders and school leaders; a must-read! Affective conflict is destructive to a sound school culture. Teachers should be experts on the standards related to what they teach. endstream Principals trust teachers who collaborate effectively with other teachers. Get the latest education news delivered to your inbox daily. 2 Each type presents its own threat to school climate and culture. By avoiding addressing a tough staff member, you are actually reinforcing them. 114 0 obj<> endobj Develop a growth plan. Throughout the rest of the year, she met regularly with Stan to stay updated on his progress. endobj Their mother might be sick. <>/P 25 0 R/S/Link>> Principals trust teachers who can handle classroom management. Minimize the Number of Students Sent to the Office, 18. <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 25 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 5>> 2 The eight types of problematic teacher we discuss in our recent book Working with Difficult and Resistant Staff (Solution Tree, 2011) are underminers, on-the-job retirees, contrarians, challenged, resident experts, unelected representatives, recruiters, and whiners and complainers. COVID-19 Self-Care Resources Resources for teachers, parents, and students to help deal with stress and changes during the pandemic; Social-Emotional Development Discover the importance of social-emotional learning and activities to promote empathy in the classroom; Teacher Well-being Best practices for resiliency and self-care for teachers; Trauma-Informed Practices in Schools Strategies and . We can imagine the reaction. This should be a given, but there are a few teachers who forget why they chose to be a teacher as their career progresses. A teacher must also recognize the value in building a trusting relationship with their principal. 39 0 obj ThoughtCo, Apr. @, 5uNwXSdg dtaRt'&iwvekbB_B^M_TkIy}q(A@[&!Uct~cy|gqai).4A>6A[c]9Rn)Y w4!oIxQV{m[;^*ani7,d\?o~wi|J&|$;^&9r|,MfN~'7s]CE)>v -+j{),"W[p&Z}]InO7}~`8M Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! If you decide to create an account with us in the future, you will need to enable cookies before doing so. 24 0 obj endobj School leaders face many challenges in implementing change. endobj Stan had also announced he wouldn't participate in the professional learning community (PLC) to which he'd been assigned. Teachers should maintain a positive attitudethere are definite rough days and sometimes it is difficult to keep a positive approach, but continuous negativity will impact the job that you are doing which ultimately has a negative impact on the students you teach. Learn strategies and techniques on dealing with difficult staff, teachers, and students from subject matter experts that will assist Early Career Principals with these challenges. Matthew Lynch is an educational consultant and former teacher who now researches policy and education reform. The results of this study provide a point of reference for future studies on how principals deal with difficult teachers. Every principal and employer will deal with difficult employees at some point. individual administrator. , Eye On Education; 2nd edition (August 20, 2002), Language stream Working with difficult and resistant staff members is unavoidable if you want to make long-lasting school changes. Citation: Whitaker, T. (2015). xWnF+xL{ a@")d nBp{OMHEI]4GdOOUuuf[QU7w__+VE.]iTW8JWL}|RX|? endobj It was also, however, the most rewarding. xZnH}7G i6ZZb`. Prior to moving into higher education he was a math teacher and basketball coach in Missouri. HWF}'Gr1oAEq#N8TKdL2I`fuS.-~Hw@A !Is*%.;h)CKB9$PDn| Once we close the classroom door, we're in our own little worlds, rulers of our domains, and completely in control of how our day progresses overall. When teachers do not utilize these resources, it becomes a waste of money. <> You may notice that he or she is doing the bare minimum in daily work. Follow-up frequently to ensure you are working toward your common goals. This book shows you how to handle staff members who: Some of these items ship sooner than the others. This tone can be contagious. 35 0 obj 0000002233 00000 n For example, you might regularly conduct a pro-con conversation among teachers, guiding them to identify the specifics of any new strategy you're considering, including what the school might need to do to overcome challenges the strategy will present. "How Teachers Can Build a Trusting Relationship With Their Principal." An underminer was at work. Whether all's well with your principal right now or things are tense, here are some helpful tips from someone who's been in both a great and a poor relationship with various principals: As you can see, there are varying degrees of principal problems and it will require your good judgment to decide on a course of action. <]>> (2023, April 5). After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Principals trust teachers who love their jobs and are excited about coming to work each day. 0000080083 00000 n PDF Working with Difficult Parents - NAESP How to Deal With a Difficult Teacher | Education.com endobj Kids can be tough critics. "Top 6 Tips for Navigating a Problem Principal." Keep it focused on building up the positive aspects of the employee rather than making it a punitive, experience. A lack of organization leads to chaos. There is nothing more damaging than a negative teacher/leader; those who constantly complain can have a crippling effect on the school. After all, there is only one of them, but a building full of teachers vying for the same. Keep it in perspective. Here are six ways principals can deal with challenging parents: 1. Whether other teachers alert you or you notice signs that a staff member is an underminer, act quickly to minimize the damage. Aaron Arroyo, who is in his second year as a theater teacher, also turned down an offer from a private school that would have bumped his salary by $15,000 a year. 4 0 obj How Teachers Can Handle Complaints From Parents Your child probably feels like the teacher is ruining his life. Principals trust teachers who proactively report a mistake. Take Suggestions and Apply Them to Your Classroom, 20. 18 0 obj If you argue with a difficult teacher or student it probably won't go well since they . stream In the end, the labor it takes to successfully deal with resisters will pay offin accomplishing your goals and attaining a positive working culture. A principal can be an invaluable ally in your pursuit to educate students or can be a nuisance and make your life a living hell. A good teacher is continuously evaluating, tweaking, and changing what they are doing in their classroom. As long as you are a sane and goodhearted professional, it will rarely be you who brings up the first complaint about a given individual. In schools we've led and in our work supporting principals, we've identified strategies anyone can use to deal with difficult and resistant staff members while maintaining a healthy school climate. They will be much easier to deal with after they are calm. Experience is the greatest teacher, but soliciting simple advice can go a long ways in dealing with a difficult issue. That might mean helping your child come up with a way to share his concerns with the teacher. When Given a Task, Understand That Quality and Timeliness Matters. Bookmark this to easily find it later. Chances are, the union rep will already have fielded other complaints about this administrator. <> Students should always be a teachers first priority. All teachers must be able to communicate effectively with the parents of their students. If they dont know you saw it, you may have the option not to address the behavior. 5 0 obj Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2013. What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack? They want teachers that are constantly looking for ways to do things better. There is not a singular action that will lead to developing a trusting relationship, but rather multiple actions over an extended period to earn that trust. Demonstrate a Propensity to Handle Adversity, 13. We have seen eight major types of difficult staff members in action. Dont want them there anyways and that is probably not worth the battle. You may also choose to eventually mentally relinquish the stress over this situation and continue to focus your positive energies on the most important people in the school: your young students who need you! Six Ways Principals Can Deal With Challenging Parents