As I view the assignment for this week, I felt relieved towards it as I can attest to something that I have been struggling with at work. The conflict is that we are given a literacy coordinator to implement various strategies that the ministry thinks will be beneficial towards uplifting the literacy skills of children on a national level. However, what is so appalling is that the person that is designated to do thus is not so familiar with her goals nor is able to give feasible feed backs to us as educators. When I asked her a certain question she pertuded a number of attitudes that were indeed not welcoming. This led to a number of disagreements among us. Though it is something that sounds feasible yet it starts out negatively based on the communication that is being established. This is simply because there is a level of disrespectful behaviors that are being pertuded by the coordinator. However, being the person that I am I remain calm throughout this issue.
Upon reading the resources this week, I have obtained knowledge of how to deal with conflicts both on a personal and professional perspective that have given me a number of valuable insights about what to do. First according to the three S assumptions I have found out that a conflict is a natural and healthy process that is necessary for making progress and dealing with injustice. Second, I have an important role to play in transforming conflicts around me. Third, I have gained that in using the three S skills I am capable of creating an atmosphere for positive collaboration to take place that in turns brings about positiveness among all. Fourth, I have been reminded by these resources that in everything there is good therefore, as educators, my aim is to put aside childish behaviors and focus on what is at hand and that is the education and care of the young children with whom I interact with daily. Fifth, I have found out that with the utilization of some of the three R's principles, I am capable of dealing with conflicts that arise on a hold. Sixth, in educating my colleagues about such principles, they too have realized the purpose of resolving conflicts and aree willing to apply the different strategies as issues arise.
Reference
The Third Side. (n.d.). The third side. Retrieved from http://www.thirdside.org/
Latoya,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the credentials of the literacy coordinator may be a little questionable. Do you happen to know where they received their training from or what program they actually plan to implement? I know that you said that the literacy coordinator was unsure of their own plans, so maybe you can assist them by identifying the exact needs of your program in terms of struggles in literacy. By doing so, you are acknowledging that this person does have some training in the area, but you are respectfully assisting them in becoming a positive asset to your program.
Tiffany
Latoya,
ReplyDeleteI compliment you in all the strategies you are trying to implement - especially in educating your colleagues regarding these concepts too. I agree that creating an atmosphere of positive collaboration is best, especially with the focus on doing what is best for the children at all times. It sounds like the idea of a literacy coordinator is sound in helping the children achieve higher levels of literacy, but perhaps she needs to find out what her job scope expectations are and this should also be communicated to the teachers so you can cooperatively collaborate with her. I would suggest approaching her with a supportive attitude by asking what it is you can do in your classroom to help her in her role. This will open a door to establishing a cooperative work relationship. She is probably very overwhelmed with trying to learn what is expected of her and may also be feeling intimidated in working with already established teachers. I was once a math specialist who rotated among four 3rd grade math classrooms. Each teacher had a different teaching style and some were welcoming while others were not. Having to teach in a classroom environment where you don't feel welcome is so hard, and it is difficult to have ownership in your role when you don't have your own classroom space. So she may be feeling some of this anxiety too. I would suggest being friendly and mindful of her perspective with a helpful attitude and I am sure you will make some head-way on the relationship. Good luck!
Latoya I loved reading the different strategies when dealing with conflict. You shared some ideas that I didn't think about. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete