Sumbangan Cikgu Othman Ahmad
By Todd Whitaker, Beth Whitaker, Dale Lumpa
A critical part of the job of an educational leader is to make sure that everyone in our organization feels special. Being aware of this on a daily basis is an important part of building staff morale. This is true whether we are a building-level leader, a department chair, or a team leader in a middle school. Examining how everyone feels and being sensitive to what is important to him or her is a critical component of enhancing the morale of everyone in our organization. One important part of this is showing interest and concern for all of our staff members' personal lives. This is not to be intrusive, but to demonstrate a high regard for their personal concern and well being.In addition to encouraging knowledge of our staff beyond school, this chapter provides many other ideas that can help an educational leader make everybody feel like somebody. After all, we are modeling what we expect all staff members to do with the students they work with each day.Taking Care of TeachersIn 1989, Adams and Bailey discussed the importance of principals taking care of their teachers. This care involved supporting teacher preferences, promoting feelings of self-efficacy, and focusing on well being of teachers through enhanced working conditions. The way teachers feel about themselves is a direct result of the leadership patterns and styles of principals. Through their leadership, principals should provide a belief in people, job and role diversity, high expectations, positive reinforcement, and celebrations of good performance. Teachers who feel good about themselves will become inspired to teach and deliver instructions at an exceptionally high level. Principals who take the time necessary to make sure that teachers understand their worth will find that classroom instruction will improve as teachers' self-efficacy improves.To further demonstrate the power of teacher self-worth, Purkey (1983) found that research lends evidence that when teachers understand, accept, and like themselves, they have a much greater capacity to understand, accept and like their students. Further research indicates that principals who demonstrate positive self-worth will act positively. They show a high regard for their employees as human beings and make continuous attempts to build the self-esteem of their staff members (Beck and Hillmar 1987).There are many ways that a principal can take care of teachers, ways that help promote a positive environment in a school. Being aware of the personal side of teachers, showing interest in their families and children, and having a sensitivity to their outside interests are very valuable tools. When a teacher has been absent from school because of a child's illness or their own, the principal who makes it a point to seek out that teacher on their return to school and ask how they or their child feels will make headway toward helping teachers feel that they are valued.Knowledge of Staff Beyond SchoolJust as the students who walk through our school doors each day are humans with lives beyond school, we must remember that our faculty and staff fall into this same category. They face family and civic obligations daily. As the leader of the school, the principal must be sensitive to these issues and help staff members bridge the gap between personal and professional worlds.As the research showed, principals and teachers saw this as an important part of a positive climate. Teachers were appreciative of these personal gestures of care and concern. This appreciation can affect the morale and disposition of faculty and staff. The ideas that follow have been shared by teachers and principals who found that an understanding of everyone's demands and lives beyond school is necessary. Appreciating the complex world that our staff members navigate can lead to productive relationships and a positive morale.How Ya Doin'? Day in and day out, conversation is a crucial part of building relations with your staff. This is a very simple concept, but one that takes sincere dedication and some of your valuable time. Face-to-face communication with a genuine sharing of thoughts and feelings is time well spent for a principal. Asking teachers about themselves, their family, and their lives helps that teacher know you care. You must sincerely listen and use this knowledge to help staff members through troubled times or difficult situations. This is also a time to let them share exciting news related to their lives. As the leader, you must learn to gently heal in times of strife and be one of the biggest cheerleaders in times of celebration. To do this, you must have knowledge. Day-in-and-day-out conversation is critical.Sharp Tie You're Wearing Today!We all appreciate it when our daily efforts to look presentable are noticed. Most professionals work hard on their appearance and enjoy when it is recognized. Taking the time to compliment a new addition to a staff member's wardrobe or a stylish haircut can mean a lot to people. They appreciate the acknowledgement of their efforts and this can boost self-esteem. It also provides motivation to continue to look your best because it feels good to be complimented.What a cutie! A fun way for all to remember everyone's humble beginnings is to create a bulletin board of baby pictures of every staff member. Have each staff member bring in a baby picture and create an attractive display of these adorable pictures. You can number each photo and provide a key on the bulletin board or just put their names under the photos. You could also create a contest with the numbered photos by offering a prize to the first person who can turn in the correct teacher's name with the corresponding baby picture number. This is a fun "Back to School" bulletin board that will have everyone guessing, smiling, sharing, and laughing.Faculty Scavenger HuntGather together one interesting fact about each of your faculty members. Your secretary can assist in this by asking each teacher to submit one thing about themselves that they think no one knows or just a few know. Compile all of these on a sheet of paper in statements like "find your coworker who climbed a mountain this summer" or "find your coworker whose first car was a brown Chevy Vega." Leave a blank next to each phrase and turn your faculty lose with this at a meeting or retreat. This is a fun way to learn more about each other and bring our everyday life into the school setting. This activity is guaranteed to be filled with laughter and fun.Teacher of the Week Many teachers invite each student to become the student of the week. That student has a whole bulletin board to decorate and fill with items depicting their families, hobbies, interests, travels, and so on. Why not try this same concept with your faculty and staff? Designate a bulletin board or display case that can be used for this purpose. Set up a calendar assigning one week for each staff member to become the featured "teacher of the week." That teacher puts together a display about himself or herself that will help both teachers and students get to know more about them. Make sure you include secretaries, custodians, nurses, and cooks. This can inspire great creativity and it's almost guaranteed everyone will learn something new that they didn't know about each staff member.Info at Your FingertipsThis tip is for those of us who have great difficulty remembering names and dates. When your social committee gathers personal data (names of family members, birthday, anniversary, favorite color) for its files or for secret pal exchanges, ask to have copies for your office. Keep these close at hand for the times you just can't seem to remember the name of your second grade teacher's middle daughter. This information could save you embarrassment and provide useful facts about the teachers you are trying to connect with.Send it Through the Mail Many educational leaders are excellent about writing notes of praise and encouragement to teachers. If you are one of these people, I applaud you. Placed in teachers' mailboxes, these notes boost morale and spirit during the school day. Give thought to periodically sending notes to the teacher's home through the U.S. mail, especially cards or notes that deal with personal issues that the teacher is facing. Teachers appreciate the time it took for you to do this and it is a gentle reminder to them of your awareness that life goes on beyond the school day.In addition, a quick phone call at home can also be greatly appreciated by your staff. This is especially appropriate when you have teachers going through a difficult situation that you are sure they don't want to talk about at school. The two of you can converse through the privacy of the telephone, and you can make sure that they know you care and are thinking of them. You can also ask if there are any errands you could run for them or meals you could arrange for. Many times they will not need your services, but the caring phone call can mean so very much.Sharing in Joy and in SorrowAttending your staff's family functions, when appropriate, can mean more than you will ever know. I recall a principal telling about attending the marriage of her new first grade teacher. The wedding was a five-hour drive away in a different state, but she made sure she was there. She told me that the teacher was so moved when she saw her come through the receiving line that she began to cry. This principal also received a personal note from the bride's parents thanking her for making the long journey. They were greatly impressed with the personal thoughtfulness the principal showed and shared that they were so thankful their daughter was fortunate enough to work for her. Sometimes these events aren't easy ones. Distance can make it difficult and the occasion isn't always a joyous wedding. Funerals, memorial services, and visitations are times to show your concern for staff by your presence.Sometimes just a hug and words of sympathy are all that are needed. Your attendance shows them that you care and want to support them as they grieve an important loss. These gestures in times of celebration and suffering mean a great deal to people. Your personal concern and presence can mean so much.The Best Way to a Teacher's Heart...Don't forget the power of food. As the leader, you can provide food in fun and unexpected ways to let your staff know you care. After open house night, when your staff has put in a long and important evening, bring doughnuts or muffins the next morning. Arrange them on an attractive tray and place them in the lounge with a sign that says, "Thanks for a dynamite open house. You are the best!" Unexpected treats always bring a smile and are remembered.We all know that food at faculty meetings is a must. Try to add some variety to this by tying in seasonal or holiday themes. See if your cafeteria might bake pumpkin-shaped cookies at Halloween or red and green cupcakes at Christmas. Try candy corn (fat free!) in the fall, candy hearts for Valentine's Day, or pastel M&Ms as Easter approaches. Jell-O Jigglers can bring a smile and lollipops will make your staff feel like kids again! A brightly colored serving bowl filled with a mixture of popcorn and pretzels is a healthy alternative to sweets. A crisp red apple at each seat is also a different twist to traditional fare. Be creative and share fun food ideas with other principals at district and regional meetings.One principal makes sure that at the beginning of each month a birthday cake is placed in the lounge for all those turning a year older during that month. There is a mini-celebration before school and he leads everyone in the singing of Happy Birthday to all the staff members affected. He then passes out his "birthday treat" to the celebrants. His gift is a certificate for a 30-minute release from their classes or duties, and he provides the coverage. This can be an ultimate birthday treat!A Little Can Mean a LotMost of us have the traditional social gatherings in our schools at the beginning of the year, at the holiday season, and celebrating the end of a successful school year. These are always fun and a wonderful time to include spouses and families. Sometimes a missing piece to this school socialization is time for the staff to be out together and enjoy each other's company away from the school setting. You, as the leader, can coordinate small social outings that don't take a lot of planning or time. They can also be spontaneous, which adds some excitement to the event. Perhaps, after all the students are gone, you make an announcement over the intercom inviting all interested to join you for coffee at the new bookstore, ice cream at the local Dairy Queen, or even a game of putt-putt golf! Many staffs enjoy Happy Hour at a local pub on Fridays. Try to find a place that serves food, isn't smoky, and has nonalcoholic beverages for those who choose not to drink. You want to allow everyone to feel comfortable joining the fun.Some principals and teachers organize Book Clubs that meet monthly for "Coffee and Conversation" regarding a specific title they have chosen to discuss. The books can be professional, but certainly don't have to be. These book discussions can be held in the mornings before school at a local diner that serves great breakfasts, after school at the malt shop, or in the evenings at a restaurant with a relaxing atmosphere. Of course, you could always meet at school, but sometimes it is nice to gather together away from the work environment.Another avenue for socialization is through exercise. Organize a walking or running group within the school. Meeting times can vary and all who are interested can join in a healthy activity that promotes interaction between staff members. Sometimes the local YMCA or YWCA will offer exercise classes in your building, if you can get enough staff members to participate.Perhaps you have a very musical staff. If so, organize a small band or chorus. For people who have interest in music, participating in casual musical activities can provide relaxation and enjoyment. Practice once a week and perform for the students at the end of the year. They will love it! You may soon be invited to perform for other school events--opening sessions, sporting events, banquets, and so on. Remember that you can always say no to keep the group "just for fun."Look for small but effective ways to interact with staff members outside the school setting. Everyone leads busy and hectic lives in this day and age. Often 30 minutes spent over a cup of coffee with your coworkers can fit into your schedule more easily than a whole evening out. Search for creative ways to be with your staff members in relaxed, enjoyable activities that don't take up too much of everyone's precious time.Christmas Cards with a Twist One of the most memorable ways you can show your staff you really care is something that can be done at one of the most exciting times of the year--Christmas. Have someone (yourself, secretary, custodian, etc.) go to each classroom and take a picture of the teacher instructing and working with students. It is also fun and meaningful to include cooks, custodians, secretaries, bus drivers, and nurses, and so on in this holiday treat. If they question why you are there, just tell them it is for the yearbook, a scrapbook, or a school display. Then ask your secretary to gather the addresses of your teacher's parents. This can be done through spouses (who need to be asked to keep this a secret), or the secretary can just ask for the information, telling the teachers you need it for personal files or emergency procedures. Most will comply, but others will be suspicious. If they persist in knowing why, just smile and tell them it is a Christmas secret!Have Christmas cards made that are from the school. Many companies offer these at holiday time; regular cards from the store will work, too. Address each card with the name of the staff members' parents and insert the picture of their son or daughter doing their important job in the school. Take the time to write a short note to the parents, letting them know what a valued staff member their son or daughter is and how proud you are to be able to work with them each day. Seal them, stamp them, mail them, and smile. You will have touched many lives in a very unique and special way. This is an excerpt from a letter received by a principal who took the time to send these special cards."You will never fully know the happiness you brought to us with your kind card. Tears came to our eyes as we read the dear words you wrote about our daughter. We have never before received such a letter. It means so much to us.We are sure that our other five daughters are appreciated by those they serve, but we have never received a letter like yours. We shall never forget your kind words."The little extra time and effort this gesture takes reaps benefits far beyond your knowledge and imagination. Good deeds harvest great rewards.Your teachers must know that you possess personal concern and regard for them as individuals. Any of the ideas presented here can help you bridge the gap between the professionals and the personal sides of your working relationship. Also remember that showing this interest and genuine caring for your staff is powerful modeling of how you want them to treat the children in their classrooms. The way you interact with and treat the faculty and staff will set a tone of compassion and understanding in your school. This will eventually find its way to the students in school. And isn't that what it's all about?The excerpt from Motivating and Inspiring Teachers by Todd Whitaker, Beth Whitaker, and Dale Lumpa has been reproduced with permission from Eye on Education.
Read more about the authors...Copyright © 2000 Eye On Education, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.eyeoneducation.com.
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