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Don't make me the enemy.
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Hey Reader, I love my job. I love working with teachers. Do I miss my classroom and having those moments with students that only teachers can understand? Yes, I absolutely do. But I love my job. I love what I get to do every day. I love running workshops and training events. I love connecting with passionate educators. And I love knowing that I have even a little impact on how those educators change the lives of their students. But, do I love all of it? Well...no, not really. I mean, I actually do enjoy most of the challenges, but there is one specific thing about my work that I really don't love. This is when school leaders make me the enemy. Here's what I mean by this. When I show up to a school to run a workshop with teachers, I know that I may not be the thing they are most excited about. I know it is my job to make sure they get value from it and can actually implement what we discuss. That's my job. That challenge I love. What I don't love is when I show up to a room full of teachers who already hate me. I don't think teachers like this either. Because it sets all of us for failure. What I've learned is that there are a few things school leaders need to do to prevent this. Here are a few questions school leaders should be asking and able to clearly answer before any type of professional development:
There are a few others, but essentially the key is to make sure the PD you are planning is aligned to your work, you truly believe it will provide value, and that this is all clearly communicated to your staff. Planning training too close to the first day with students, without giving teachers enough time to prepare their classrooms, is a surefire way to make me the enemy. There is not much worse than when I show up and discover that I am the thing stopping teachers from getting to their classrooms and being ready for students. Teachers need clarity on what to expect, what to prepare for, and how PD might impact the other 1,000 things they need to do before the school year starts. When teachers have clarity and have the space to properly prepare, they can engage in the work we want them to do. Without providing them this, we can't expect them to fully buy in to anything...regardless of how awesome I am at PD. ;) So please, as you get into your start of the year PD....don't make me the enemy. ~ Chad Before you go: I'm doing a little research and I'd really appreciate it if you hit 'reply' and let me know what your top priorities are for next school year? Thanks!A) Improving instructional alignment and standards-aligned grading practices B) Student behavior and improving classroom management C) Showing growth in specific areas of instruction or student learning D) Planing PD that helps us reach our vision and goals for classroom instruction E) Other (Please explain)
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Teach Better Team
Join thousands of educators learning together to increase student success in their classroom, their schools, or their district. Innovated ideas, resources, and support, delivered straight to your inbox every week.
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