A Tough Look in the Mirror

Yesterday brought the proverbial smack-in-the-face for me, professionally speaking.  A department chair met with me to discuss a number of concerns the members of her department have, seeking my ear, and my assistance.  The point of this post isn't about the concerns themselves - some of which, by the way, I wholeheartedly agree with the faculty on, and some of which I see somewhat differently - but about two things from the situation itself that bothered me.

First, the majority of concerns mentioned were items that no one had brought directly to me previously, in any way.  And second, one opinion expressed in the department meeting these came out of was, and I quote, "Administration doesn't support us."  Here's why those two things trouble me so much...

I try (or at least I think I try) to be responsive to staff's needs and concerns.  I maintain an open door policy; I survey staff (both formally and informally) about their concerns or the things they think we need to address; I encourage people to come to me with their concerns, promising that I will listen, will consider even if I disagree, and will address where appropriate; and I work with the rest of our administrative team to try to take a problem-solving approach to concerns expressed.

Blah, blah, blah.  Obviously, I'm not doing enough.  Because, for whatever reason, these concerns weren't brought to me directly, by the people who had them, but were instead brought forth as a result of a department meeting which was supposed to be about curriculum and instruction, but which clearly became about the members' dissatisfactions.  At least some members of our staff either feel uncomfortable about, or have no desire for, bringing their dissatisfactions to me directly, and at least some members of our staff apparently feel they are not supported.

Because I am a human being, I had a number of initial reactions to this information, as you might imagine.  Defensiveness.  Anger.  Disappointment.  Hurt.  Guilt.

And then I (mostly) got over that.  Because, just as I tell faculty it doesn't matter if THEY think they're  on students' sides if the students don't think it, neither does it matter if *I* think I support teachers if they don't think it... a person's perception is his/her reality.  Because as I've previously posted in Bad Cat Mommy,  just as I expect our staff to be attentive and responsive to the needs of their students even if they're feeling defensive, angry, disappointed, or hurt toward them, so too is it my job to step up and try to take care of our staff's needs.  Because as I've previously posted in this post with a long title, I don't want to be a contributor to any of our staff's leaving our school, or leaving the profession.  Because, in the words of my mentor and idol, "No one cares how hard you work - they just care if you get the job done."  Because, to quote a birthday gift I got from a great counselor, it's time to just "put on my big girl panties and deal with it."

So it's time to make some adjustments to the way I do business, so that our staff will share their concerns with me without feeling they need to work through a third-party messenger (and I so absolutely do NOT mean that as a knock on the department chair, who is an awesome teacher and who takes her responsibilities as chairperson seriously and professionally), and so they do feel that they are supported, even if not always agreed with.  The last thing I want for our campus is an administration/teacher adversarial environment in which teachers feel they have to have meetings amongst themselves in order to  express their concerns, rather than thinking they can just pick up the phone, zap me an email, pop in the office, or stop me in the hall (or better yet, not need to stop me because instead I've stopped them) to let me know of something that's got them bothered.

I've got a few thoughts on what adjustments to make, not least of which is to get out and about more, with my "ear to the ground"... so that people can share their concerns because I've come to them, not because they have to come to me.  I welcome any other suggestions, too..... 

Comments

[Cathy Nelson]

Doesn't that come with the territory? No matter what or where, you can never satisfy all of the people all of the time. Stress can bring out the worst in folks too, and the beginning of school nurtures that stressed feeling--and teachers in my experience love to commiserate. So they had a pity party. At least you have decided on an action plan to address an issue you have clearly defined as a potential problem. Kudos for that. I commend you for sharing--not everyone would. As I brainstorm for solutions (and who am I but a mere teacher-librarian) perhaps at the next faculty meeting, you can have them get in small groups to do an exit slip of sorts, that allows teachers to list ah-ha moments, concerns, and solutions for expressed concerns. That will let the f/s know you are there and you want to know how to make things better. It also will make them feel like a stakeholder. It's just an idea though, and i am in no way qualified to make recommendations to a principal (except 22 years of experience.) Best of luck. I enjoy reading your blog.

[CGilcher]

It's a small burp in the road, and I think we are worlds away from adversarial relationships between teachers and administrators. Our campus is as phenomenal as it is because you and AK and AL and MC started it. We all keep it going together. None of us are immune from bad days, speed bumps, senior moments, hormones, viruses, or the invasion of flesh eating locusts. Wanting to do something about it is 99.7% of the solution. But, remember, it is all about balance.

[Marie Coleman]

I've long admired your introspection and self-responsibility about school-wide concerns and issues. It is difficult to acknowledge other's realities, but you strive to do that in many ways. That said, there will always be times when your 110% will not be enough in other's perceptions. Your ability to "get the job done" will continue to happen because of your abilities to not only recognize other's realities and to modify, as appropriate, but to also take those "baby steps" towards the vision - which some may not see!