One conflict that I have experienced is a with a coworker. She is the speech pathologist at our school and she is older and has NO patience at all for kids, especially my first graders. I am a pretty quiet person and I try to avoid conflict no matter what the situation is, but this lady really pushed my buttons. Every time one of my kids or all of my kids were in the hallway she would get on to them for the most ridiculous stuff such as, not walking in a perfect line, not wearing their coat, talking in the bathroom, taking to long at the water fountain, or not hanging their backpack up on the hook outside. To me these things are minor and so I hardly get on to my children for silly things such as these, I focus more on the major things such as their health, well being, and education. I am so tired of hearing her complain about one of my kids every single day, I know its just a matter of time until I have to say something. I have feel like I have to say something in order to take up for myself and also my students.
This lady is very outspoken and has been teaching for over twenty years so I am really not sure how this conversation is going to go. My plan is to approach her with the three R's and voice my concerns to her in a nice way. I really just want her to quit getting on to my students and let me handle the discipline problems if needed. I hope I can explain this to her in the nicest way possible!
Hi Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteWell,it seems that the 3 R's would be the right option for the situation. I understand you said that these things are not major concerns. How would feel about asking her for her assistance or suggestions for the children and students? Everyone has different ways of handling students. Some may feel that these things should be a standard thing that the kids should know to do automatically such as hanging up their backpack, keeping quiet in the bathroom, etc. We do not know her intentions for responding like she does. Perhaps asking for her assistance and respecting her ideas and hopefully you could share your input as well.
Come to a common solution where transitions would be helpful to you and her. Hopefully this may help.
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteSincerely, I wish all people who work with children were aware of the things that are really important for children’s development.
I think the 3 R’s sound like a good idea, just take into account that you will need to be patient when talking to her, because you know how to apply the 3 R’s, but not her. Another thing that may be effective is if you can focus on the problem, not on the person.
Good luck Stephanie!