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Morale-
Hot, Tepid, Cold, Just Right
Inspired by: a fantastic presentation on blogging at our Tech PD seminar!
Fortunately, good morale does not require people to be happy. Although we were pretty happy seeing August dressed as the Safety Princess. The definition of good morale is that people’s emotions contribute to, rather than subtract from, the unit achieving its goals. Many of the best examples of high morale come from situations of great unhappiness and stress--such as heroic actions in war, etc. Thus, while it may be impossible to make people feel happy while their friends are being let go, that is not your job. Your job is to build your team’s focus and dedication.This week you gave each other positive feedback based on our Wilson SIP Look Fors. This required courage and focus to look for quality examples from your peers. It is a risk to allow yourself for peer support and guidance. Our work isn't done in a bubble we need the support and guidance of our peers to lift our work. We need to continue to share and monitor our morale as we work our school improvement plan. Knowing that you have a voice in the process and are empowered to make the difference will effect the quality of the work you do.
Here are a few suggestions adapted from a Harvard Business Review blog:
1) Their unit’s work still contributes to making others’ lives better. People perform when they believe that they are part of something they can be proud of.
2) Their own ideas matter more now. This is the time to take time to listen, and act on their suggestions. That provides increased, not decreased opportunities for them to have positive impact. Listen, and give them positive credit, for solving the problems.
3) The misery will be temporary. All bad things come to an end. If it's possible get the end date and focus on scaffolded support while staff is going through it.
4) Tomorrow will be brighter. Tomorrow's bring new beginnings! It's nice to know that we can start over and learn from yesterday.
Prompt for comment:
Choose one of the quoted suggestions before from and ASCD blog. Think about our school and how we can continue to build morale. Our job is critical and the work difficult. What can we do together to make our job efficient and valuable? What should we focus on as we move into our second trimester together.
"Administrators always have to put aside their own issues and do what is best for students and staff in a caring and sensitive way. We try not to say no to teachers, and we always treat them as adults."
"Developing a positive school climate is critical to an effective school," added Les Potter. "Morale is a very tentative issue. You can do 99 things right and make one mistake that will shoot morale forever."
Principal Tony Pallija agrees. He and the rest of his administrative team try to do lots of special things for the entire staff -- from special little gifts to Cookie Day. "We try to pretend we are at IBM -- we treat everyone as a professional and we celebrate whenever we can," said Pallija. "The material things are nice, but I have a motto that I try to live by each day: My job as principal is to make the teacher's job easier, better, so they can teach and students can learn."
Take time to consider and share ideas that can be used to lift morale in our builiding.
Remember you matter because the work you do is critical to our success!
This post reminds me Rick Dufour's message about teams. No one knows everything and no one is perfect alone. Together our combined knowledge, skills, interests, and energy will help us achieve our goals.
ReplyDeleteare you aligning your comment to the first guideline of the unit's work contributes to making others' lives better?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletewhich quote do you feel that this comment relates to the most?
DeleteAs we continue to walk through each other's classrooms we can build morale and support for one another as we validate the rigorous and authentic work happening we "develop a positive school climate." One in which we continue to be effective. When we take each other's ideas and put them into action in our own classrooms, we show how we value the thinking and creativity of others. Or what Devin refers to as "obvious to us, amazing to others." After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best things about Wilson is how we all work together to achieve our goals.
ReplyDelete"Developing a positive school climate is critical to an effective school" - I think that our grade level teams are an essential part building a positive school climate for ourselves and for our students. With the teams, you always know that there is someone there to listen, support, encourage, or even just book study with on Fridays.
ReplyDelete"A positive school climate is critical to an effective school." - I can't remember all of the times that I have heard people (outside of Wilson) have conversations about not enjoying their jobs. I truly believe that if you work in a positive environment with people who support you and make you laugh, you will do your job better. We all have bad days, but when a guy walks into your room first thing on a Thursday morning, and he is wearing tight orange skinny jeans... you can't help but be a little more positive about your mission for the day.
ReplyDeleteWell all I can say is most of us would not be doing a job that is as difficult as ours if it wasn't for the people we get to come in and work with everyday. I know I wouldn't.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Mike.
Delete"Developing a positive school climate is critical to an effective school" just as fostering a positive classroom climate is important in raising our achievement scores. Hopefully a positive school climate will carry into the classroom.
ReplyDeleteWhen thinking about "developing a positive school climate", I immediately think about how I can apply this to my own classroom. Fostering relationships with my students and genuinely caring about their well-being is vital when developing morale in the classroom. Modeling appropriate problem solving skills, even when students are being disrespectful, is key to showing students how to treat others even when the situation is difficult. This will not only help boost the morale between the students and I, but will contribute to the positive morale among the students themselves.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that, "a positive school climate is critical to an effective school." Kids pick up on everything. Teachers who are grumpy and hate their jobs bring everyone down with them. I can personally say that my morale has improved this year; it is a good feeling to know that your administration stands behind you 100%, whether it be in instruction or behavior.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice compliment Rochelle. I have worked at 8 different schools so far during my career, and I can honestly say, Wilson has some of the best teams of teachers I have seen. Our great Wilson teams focus on behaviors and academics in a combined way that has created a positive school climate. This is difficult, but we have done it together. We will continue to fine tune, which will only lead to us getting better and better... developing a positive and powerful culture. Thanks for all you do everyday for students and your Wilson Team.
DeleteI am going to reflect on the first quote. "People perform better when they feel like they are a part of something they can be proud of." I truly believe that I am a better teacher and person because of the people I work with. We all work hard to make the lives of our students be better and just like adult our students need to feel like they are a part of our team.
ReplyDeleteHaving a team of people to work with is one of the things I feel helps me make it through the tough days and challenges me to be a better teacher. I find that having a quick 2 minute conversation in the hallway about a situation/student issue can be just what I needed to help me reflect on a current situation or help me gain the strength to enter the class with a positive attitude even when it's been one of those days.
ReplyDelete"Developing a positive school climate is critical to an effective school."
ReplyDeleteMoving to a new school always brings some challenges, but also provides an opportunity to learn. I have enjoyed hearing comments about the changes since last year from both students and staff members. These positive changes have improved the moral of all.
Being a source of positive energy is great for colleagues and students alike. Sometimes a smile or a kind word can have a wonderful effect on those around you.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of entries stating that "developing a positive school climate is critical to an effective school" and Kathy Shirley said it best when implying that a positive staff climate will hopefully carry over into a positive student environment. Students take their cues from us; when they see us engaged, involved, and concerned for the well being of our school, it sets a positive example of the positive climate for them to carry out as well.
ReplyDeleteLike several others, I agree with the statement "Developing a positive school climate is critical to an effective school". I think the "team" aspect we have here at Wilson promotes a positive school climate. Working as a team is the norm here, and I'm really proud to work with so many people who work hard to help kids be successful and make a difference in their lives. It's amazing what all can be accomplished when we're all working together as a team towards a common goal.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with "a positive school climate is critical to an effective school". I have witnessed buildings with low morale and the environment is not nearly as productive. Our team work and positive climate sets a terrific example for students.
ReplyDeleteI just have to say that during the 4 years I have been working here, this is probably one of the best examples of staff teaming together to help each other and to help students. There isn't anyone here that isn't ready and willing to help out when needed or to even give advice on a tough situation that happens in a classroom. I know that I have learned a lot from those that I have worked with. Having an administration that is supportive of staff and students helps to create that positive atmosphere and we definitely have that here, too!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Carrie. Morale is higher overall this year and it is due to a staff that interacts well in all areas. This makes it much easier to do the things expected of us.
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