Sticking Together as Educators

Sticking together as educators is so important for the success of all. We are all educators, administrators, teachers, paras, and support staff. We all have different roles; we are developing the next generation. That is why we need to stick together and come together for the students in our care. I finished reading a book about teachers. The book shows what teachers experience during the year. It describes tumultuous interactions with administrators, co-workers, and parents to name a few. However, I felt that it does not give any solutions except for more hiring staff and more money. Well in reality more money and staff is great but it will be very difficult because of politics. It is also problematic since we have a hard time staffing many positions currently.

What needs to be done is to stop blaming others in the field. Teachers blame parents and other teachers that the students are not prepared. Teachers also blame administrators for not understanding the daily needs of children. Many administrators are not in the thick of it every day, but they also have a job to do. Administrators are responsible for state and local initiatives that they must instill. Even if it does not make sense. We need to stop blaming each other. We need to come together and respect and support our roles and understand what each of us does. So, we can work together for successful kids. The first way to stop blaming is to understand each other. Learn about each other’s roles, especially administrators. I’ve had many administrators tell me that they don’t understand special needs, students. They also don’t know what to do with them. Learn about them and support the staff to fully understand the needs of all students. If you are in a school that is poorly performing, and staff morale is low. Work together and stop blaming others for a start. Then together you will be able to solve the problem. Blaming others never solves the problem.

Second is to listen. Stephen Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” which was published August 15, 1989, is still valuable. Habit 5 is Seek first to understand then to be understood. Empathic listening is so important in education to see the person’s view first. You learn so much first by listening and then by talking. Remember it is not to agree with the person, it is to understand the person’s view. If we understand the person’s view first it will give a full picture of what the person is struggling with to help. When we listen to others first and truly listen instead of trying to think how to respond. Everyone has a different perspective, and we need to respect their points of view. Showing support is to listen and ask how we can help each other.

Third, make sure everyone on the team has equal responsibility. Many times, there are always a few that do everything and some that do nothing. Set up an environment that involves the whole community. Bring in the parents to be a part of the team and community members. Parents want to be involved in their child’s education. Each parent/family has only a certain amount of time. Bringing together the whole community builds high-quality schools. Everyone is working for the better good of the students.

Lastly accountability. Accountability is used so much in the field with a focus on standardized tests. Accountability means that everyone is answerable for their own actions, roles, and responsibilities. Accountability does not have to have a negative feeling. It is that you do what you say and mean what you say. It means if I commit to something in the team you can count on me that I will have it done. Accountability is used many times as a threat. But being accountable is not. It is for everyone to be responsible and committed to what is agreed upon.

When we stick together as educators, we change the world. Many entities are against education and educators. We need to build each other up and not tear each other down. Stop blaming others and work together. Listen first to understand the other person’s view first before you respond to what you think. Make sure we are all equal and we have equivalent responsibilities. Hold each accountable to the agreed-upon items. So, everyone takes responsibility. Then working together will then have a positive outcome. When we all work together amazing things can happen.