TD+11-5


 * Week 11: Teacher Inquiry: Developing as a Healthy Education Professional **

PLC Group Name: Teachers Delight PLC Meeting Location: Online and by telephone PLC Meeting Time: 3 hours


 * Hour 1 **
 * ENGAGE **

Teachers wear so many hats: counselor, parent, referee, etc. You nurture others all day long, and sometimes, you’re all out of nurturing ability by the time it comes to taking care of yourself!

We’ve talked about being a better teacher by inquiring into your own practice. Today we are going to talk about teacher well-being. As an anticipatory set for today’s lesson, please begin read the following article. (As with all readings, it is intended to prompt discussion, not intended to be the only authority on the topic.)

Teacher Wellness: []


 * EXPLORE **

Now, take a look at this second reading below, for you to explore in order to broaden or deeper understanding of the concept of teacher well-being.

[|http://www.onderwijskunde.ugent.be/downloads/articleJCI.pdf]


 * Hour 2 **
 * EXPLAIN **

Discussion Time!

1. As teachers we talk a lot about bully's within a school but normally we direct it to children who are bully's. How would you as a teacher be able to cope with managers who are bully's?

At some point you are required to do what your boss says, but just because they are in authority you shouldn’t feel intimidated. It could be stressful so I would suggest joining a group or network for teachers or reading blogs to seek guidance. Have a voice it would not be good to hold in everything because you don’t want to lose your temper. (Christina)

I agree with you Christina, there are different places or networks that can help teachers cope with difficult issues. (Stephanie)

Although there are different places and networks that can help teachers cope with difficult issues, I think it is also important for us as teachers to be able to calmly, rationally, sit down and discuss what is happening with the person bullying us. I know sometimes that bullies in the work place do not always notice that they are being bullies or taking advantage of situations so therefore it is important to diplomatically point it out to the person. (Libbi)

I agree with Libbi I think as teachers and adults we have to be able to sit down with the bully and talk it out. We should be able to use the same strategies that we teach children to use. (Abby)

2. There is a saying "we are all humans and we make mistakes." If you were to do something that was not against school regulation, but someone accused you of doing a fowl act. How will you deal with malicious allegations?

I would simply try my best to provide facts. No matter what it will be hard but be truthful because I am a firm believer that the truth will set you free. Don’t lie or be mistreated for no reason because that brings nothing but more trouble into your life. (Christina)

I think as teachers no matter what the situation is we have to address to issues as professionals. (Stephanie)

I think it is first important to reflect on my actions and make sure that they were not in any way shape or form a fowl act. Then it is a good idea to sit down and rationally discuss your point of view and the other person's point of view with the accuser. (Libbi)

I would sit down with the accuser and the principal or person in charge and discuss the accusations. I would make sure to be prepared with facts and discuss the issue in a civilized manner. (Abby)

3. Right now, we understand that we will be faced with multiple challenges with our position. What are a few ways you will deal with these excessive workloads?

I would take on the challenge the best way possible. I would take advice from other personnel and follow their advice until I become comfortable with the roles I have. This would allow room for me to expand and grow learning and thinking on my own for a new beginning in the classroom. (Christina)

I would try to deal the challenges the best way possible. I will ask for help if is needed and learn from that experience so i would able to help others. (Stephanie)

I think it is a good idea to use organizers or planners to deal with overwhelming work loads. I also agree with Stephanie that it is important to learn from our experiences. (Libbi)

I think I will make sure and make time for myself and family. That is always a way to release my stress. I would also make sure to keep organized and ask for help or advice when I need it. (Abby)


 * ELABORATE **

Your own well-being—how well you manage the work-life balancing act—impacts the climate in your classroom and even your students’ performance. What else could it impact? Could decades of promised education reform be inadvertently thwarted by teachers’ wellness? Or, is this just a bunch of overinflated nonsense? Suggested topics:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How can teachers get and keep a healthy perspective?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How can humor be used?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How can you interview your potential jobs to understand they kind of work environment and culture that is at that school, and how that would fit with your own personal needs for success?

Create a classroom/school scenario for one of the three above questions.

If a teacher was being bullied by a manager at the school and noticed she was in an awkward situation. That teacher could try to use humor to get out of that situation. (Christina)

During an interview at a potential job make sure to ask questions about the teachers interactions and dynamic. Maybe ask if you can take a tour of the school and be very perceptive and watch for teacher interaction. It is important to know how the work environment is in a potential job because you will be there everyday and interacting with the people there on a daily basis. (Abby)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. As a group, reflect on what you have learned today about becoming a healthy educator and maintaining work-life balance. What will it take to keep YOU a healthy, happy professional educator? (Note: what works for your friend in the next classroom may not work for you!). [Note for PLC Leaders: you might have members discuss what is important to them.]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hour 3 **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">EVALUATE **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Engaging in personal hobbies? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Remaining involved in your church? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Planning time to see friends? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Getting up at 5:30 to run every morning? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Continued professional development on areas that spark your curiosity? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Making a commitment to getting work done at work and not bringing it home? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What choices will you make? Where will you draw boundaries? How can you beat the odds of 1/3 of teachers leaving the field by the 5-years point?

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. As a group, draft a brief statement (approx 1-2 paragraphs) of what you learned or new understandings you came to during this discussion. What did you agree with/about, and what did you not agree with/about? How do you KNOW you learned and grew?!

We learned that being a teacher does have a lot of challenges and because we work in schools already we witness some of these challenges. We all were able to connect to each other once we realized that teachers probably face other things that we can’t see. We can’t see these things because they are probably not able to say to us or anyone about it. So, we read a few teacher blogs and got a lot of information about their well-being. It is important and joining a group or online blogs does help cope with stressful issues.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Individually, it is time to register to present at the QUEST Teacher Research Symposium. Registration is simple, and REQUIRED! Just go to this link and enter your name, email, and general presentation topic (your wondering!): []

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Individually, please send your “PLC Check” as an email to Dr. Pierson and Caroline: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">--What/Who worked well in today’s PLC meeting? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">--What/Who didn’t work so well in today’s PLC meeting?