Today was our first day back for teachers. We had a great opening meeting with just our faculty. Enrollment looks good and we are hanging in there despite the economy. We could still use some diversity, but for the most part we are okay.
We hosted Dr. Rob Evans with Charlotte Latin and he was both engaging, dynamic and made alot of sense! He spoke about the taboo topic of conflict. He talked about how we are "congenial and not collegial" with each other. We need to be able to discuss matters of the school and be more honest and direct with each other. We also don't know what each other actually DOES in the classroom.
I thought this was all very true. However, I don't seem to have that problem! Just the opposite. I tend to speak very freely and openly. I did learn this summer at my NAIS Leadership Institute that I have to speak in a way that other can "hear" me. Sometimes I'm too direct and assertive and I need to do more "active listening" in my communicating with other. It's my new goal for the year.
It's very evident in how teachers interact with one another. My middle faculty becomes very segregated. We first find our teacher team, then our department, then our grade and if it's with all school, we find our middle school people. It's so predicable!
My favorite part of the day so far was to be a facilitator at for the strategic planning sessions. I found it interesting that one faculty member spoke of diversity as an important initiative, but in the same breath said by if we have no financial aid how will "they" afford this school. Interesting don't you think?
I also met with my CLT team to go over our technology standards goals once again. Technology can not be isolation to all the other departments. My goal is to find out how to hold my teachers accountable and to also be able to integrate it into every department! Wish me luck!
I am looking forward to another great year!
