1. SWOT
There are many strengths and weaknesses to encouraging teachers to visit the teachers’ lounge.
Strengths: -A place for positive interactions -A place where ideas are shared -A place where teachers talk about how to help students -A place for positive social interaction and stress relief
There are many strengths and weaknesses to encouraging teachers to visit the teachers’ lounge.
Strengths: -A place for positive interactions -A place where ideas are shared -A place where teachers talk about how to help students -A place for positive social interaction and stress relief
Weaknesses: - A place for negative interactions - A place where positive ideas are shot down -A place where teachers speak negatively about students, their families, the community, and the administration -A place to become a hotbed where stereotypical “rabble rousers” sow their oats
Opportunity: -Teachers could use each other as resources and tap into each others’ expertise. – Peer driven and peer led professional development -Teachers on the faculty of WMS know the students at WMS better than anyone else -Schools need to use their best resources - the teachers - by providing techniques that will best help the students they serve.
Threats: There will always be "rabble rousers". We must be cognizant of the opportunities for positivity and capitalize on each teacher’s strengths… This will allow for peer driven and peer led opportunities to share the expertise already present on campus.
2. Options:
The teacher's lounge has the potential to be a positive place for all - a place where sharing and communication really happens. Currently, it is a space devoid of activity with the exception of copy making.
The teacher's lounge should be a place where teachers
gather before school, during prep periods, lunch time, etc. to encourage
collaboration and positive discussions about instruction.
3. Monitor Trends/Radar:
Trends and radar will rest in the opportunity to be a "fly on the wall" in the teachers’ lounge. I think it is most important to monitor what is currently happening, monitor how change starts to occur and to build upon the successes. I would love suggestions as to how to make this a great opportunity for all teachers (new and seasoned). In addition, how do I best incorporate classified employees into the mix- the teachers’ lounge is traditionally a certificated area.
3. Monitor Trends/Radar:
Trends and radar will rest in the opportunity to be a "fly on the wall" in the teachers’ lounge. I think it is most important to monitor what is currently happening, monitor how change starts to occur and to build upon the successes. I would love suggestions as to how to make this a great opportunity for all teachers (new and seasoned). In addition, how do I best incorporate classified employees into the mix- the teachers’ lounge is traditionally a certificated area.
I think that providing scheduled programming in the teacher lounge, informal workshops, or "brown-bag" lunch discussions could be helpful in conjuring up productive conversation. Because of the informal environment, you may get more casual, yet valuable ideas.
ReplyDeleteIs the teacher's lounge their sanction? Is it the only place they have "me" time? If teacher's view it as such, perhaps if you add some form of library where you stock materials that encourage interaction, positive discussion, new ideas your goal for that room might actually be the outcome. You mentioned they make copies there.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Muhammad's book on Transforming School Culture would be a good resource for you. I'll bet Cheree would let you borrow her copy. The toxic culture in the teachers' lounge is likely a symptom of the culture in other parts of the school as well. In other words, while a focus on the lounge is a good place to begin, the entire culture is integrally woven into the lounge culture. In brief, Muhammad (as well as other writers and researchers) recommend that we focus on school-wide learning, a collective purpose, Having a "cause to rally around" seems to be an essential ingredient to the development of the overall culture. Certainly, professional development and spaces and places for productive conversation and activity (aka the lounge) are important ingredients as well.
ReplyDeleteI had not considered how classified staff feels about what is happening in the teacher's lounge. Making them a part of the new culture is an excellent way to promote inclusion for all staff. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteFood always helps collaboration. Perhaps once or twice a month the teachers lounge could host a pot luck with the classified staff. Each could have a theme (favorite dessert) and allow people to share, contribute and enjoy each other.
ReplyDelete