Most people say that I am happy and bubbly. The girl that always has a smile on her face. I would say that I am an optimist, a glass is half full type of person. Is your glass half full or half empty?
I’m the one that will be glad we got rain- either because we needed it (currently in a drought in my area) or because a rainy day can be a good excuse to take a day to relax or do things in the house!
To me, the opposite of this thinking is negativity. I don’t have time for negativity. It’s an energy sucker and that’s the last thing I need right now. Negativity can get us off track, especially in schools. It derails momentum and progress toward goals.
Negativity drags you down. This is why new teachers are often advised to avoid the teacher’s lounge their first year. New teachers are full of positivity and excitement for their first year of teaching, a visit to a room full of complainers can dampen that positive attitude.
I remember my 2nd or 3rd year as a classroom teacher, a group of us would eat lunch together but we had one rule- NO Complaining. We stuck to that rule and did everything we could to avoid a stereotypical teacher’s lounge filled with negativity and complaining. Instead, we talked about our weekend, our families, our hobbies, aspirations and lessons that went well or connections we were making with students.
I looked forward to these lunches and the camaraderie that we built during this time. This was a time to connect even more with colleagues. We learned a lot about each other beyond the walls of our school. That’s what I envision happening in staff rooms and teacher’s lounges around the country. To this day, those teachers are still some of my closest friends.
What can you do to help change the culture of your teacher’s room so you don’t have to avoid it altogether? Could you create norms to keep it positive?
Are there positive stories you can share with each other?
What would it mean to connect with your colleagues about who they are as parents, spouses, friends, learn about their hobbies?
Think of the example you will set for those first year teachers, who will want to join in on those conversations and become part of your school family.
We need to be optimistic when it comes to teaching and learning our students. Show them you believe in them, that you care and that you are not going to give up on them- EVER.
How can you show them you are their biggest cheerleader and also their coach? How will you show up for them when they are struggling and just need to know someone still believes in them?
I’m also optimistic when dealing with parents. We’re on the same team and want what is best for our kids. Sometimes we need to put our own feelings aside and just listen. I’m always amazed at what I hear and learn when I really take the time to listen to parents.
I take the time to listen and usually I can even empathize with the parent. You will often hear me say, “That sounds like it was hard for you.” I may not always agree with the parent’s perspective but I can always listen and sometimes that is all the parent needs. They just want to be heard.
How can you approach your next parent phone call with optimism?
We are all dealing with the uncertainty of re-opening schools in the era of COVID. There are many decisions that we have no control over. There’s no real right or wrong. What we can do, is focus on the positives and not let our students/children hear us complain.
May you all have a positive school year!
