June 2019 – Happy Schools

MORE Tips for Communicating …With People You Don’t Get On With (part 2)

June 27, 2019

Schools are busy, people places. At times we will need to work with people we don’t get along with. In part 2 we share more tips for communicating with people we find difficult to get on with. Get specific Tell them exactly what they do that you do not like, exactly what you would prefer, and exactly what you or both of you could do to help. There is too much room for misinterpretation when you use vague words. Avoid giving your opinions, interpretations, or generalisations when you are having communication problems. They are likely to be misunderstood or seen in a negative light during these times. Stick with the recent past when you talk about problems It is harder…

Five Tips for Communicating With People you Don’t Get on With

June 20, 2019

Stevef

Communication

Schools are busy, people places. At times we will need to work with people we don’t get along with. The following are the first five of ten tips for communicating with people we find difficult to get on with. Acknowledge others’ feelings and points of view Listening to and acknowledging the other person’s feelings and points of view can bypass many arguments and misunderstandings. Don’t try to correct them or rebut their points of view or feelings. Just listen. See if you can understand what the other person is trying to communicate. You don’t have to agree with what they are saying, but don’t dismiss or minimise their feelings or tell them they are wrong for feeling that way. Remember…

Beware of That Little Voice Inside Your Head

June 13, 2019

Stevef

Uncategorized

As educators we can be our own harshest critic. Whilst that little voice inside our head is often critical, it can also be unrealistic. “If only I’d done this differently….” “If only I’d said….” “Next time I’ll….” “I should have said this…!” “I should have done that…!” At times we are guilty of “shoulding” all over ourselves! Many of us are guilty of trying to be all things to all people. We are seldom satisfied with a lesson, a meeting or what we achieved on a particular day. We are always on the look out for improving things and making them better. Our training in education and our work in schools, often focuses on problem solving. As part of the…

Involvement or Engagement?

June 6, 2019

Stevef

Effectiveness

We need to relate to families not as clients, but as partners in school and community improvement. “Hello, is this John’s mother? This is his English teacher, Mr. Ferlazzo. John has had a rough day.” “I like teaching in this school because the parents don’t bother us much.” “We need parent volunteers for the fund-raiser.” “I wish parents here cared enough to get their kids to do their homework.” These quotes (all of which I’ve heard—except the first one, which I’ve said) illustrate how educators often feel about parents: We should contact them when there is a problem, it’s good when they don’t “bother” us, we need them to raise money and we can blame them for all kinds of…