On Saturday, February 21, Marilyn, Madelyn, and Bill facilitated a Coaches Clinic with the theme "Meeting the Challenge." They used the metaphor of "Teacher as Warrior" to tie together the workshop topics of action research and dealing with difficult people. After Madelyn led the "Just Like Me" icebreaker, Marilyn facilitated a discussion about the traits of a warrior. Our list of warriors quickly turned from traditional military warriors to others who have fought for a cause such as Marcus Garvey, Mother Teresa, and Rosa Parks. Some of the attributes of warriors that the group came up with were conviction, patience, courage, willingness to sacrifice, stamina, strength, hopeful, visionary, and charismatic. Do teachers have the attributes of warriors? I think the answer is YES!
With this warrior conversation as a backdrop, we moved on to small-group, text-based discussions with this focusing quote: "Teachers often leave a mark on their students, but they seldom leave a mark on their profession" (Wolfe, 1989). We used two short articles for our text--"Teacher-As-Researcher" by Beverly Johnson and "Teacher Research" by Sharon Parsons.
After discussing the articles, we came back together and shared our own wonderings. What questions do we have for our own inquiry projects? As teacher-warriors, what's worth fighting for in our classrooms? Click on the thumbnail pictures to read our questions.
The final hour of the clinic involved Bill's presentation about dealing with difficult people, one of the skills of a teacher-warrior. Drawing on his background in psychology, Bill explained that our dealings with difficult people can cause wounds to our esteem, experience, and expertise. We reflected on our own "noble values" that brought us into teaching and constructed "shields" that use these values to protect us from the wounds that difficult people inflict.
Overall, I think that the morning went well. Participant reflections are in the extended entry.
Reflection Excerpts from 2-21 Coaches Clinic
"I can empower myself again as I further my work with my colleagues and remain sensitive of how others feel"
"I liked the time I had in self-reflection--me thinking and formalizing my thoughts on research and my beliefs. I think that in many of our settings time for reflection is not valued and being given time yet infusing with learning helps so much."
"What: interacting with teachers who are respectful, forward thinking.
So what: refreshing after facing low morale about education at school.
Now what: Maybe I'll see if people at my school want to start a CFG and/or journal to find an action research topic."
"What? We learn vicariously and looking at the presenters inspires me to improve my presentation and strategies for conducting workshops. . . .
So What? I am presently advising a graduate student and now I have a resource that is valuable for her.
Difficult people presentation helped me to look at self as well as others. This is very important. . . . looking at self."
"Creating the shield and Dealing w/Difficult Personalities was the best part of today's discussion. I have been feeling burnt out because of the administrative style of our administration. Today has helped me to reflect on why I became an educator. It has also provided me with tools to use when dealing with people I have to work with such as the administrators, students, parents and other teachers.
Please continue to offer opportunities for training and dialogue."
"Now what?: I must take the knowledge that I have gained back to my campus so that I can utilize it in order to address/deal w/ difficult situations."
"Today was really great. I like the 'Just Like Me' activity that we started with. I plan to use it in my class. Looking at the 'Teacher as a Warrior" was another good activity. I had never thought of myself in this way, but I suppose that I am a warrior. . . . I am now armed with strategies for my survival as a teacher warrior."
"SO WHAT I would liked to have seen more of this talk [dealing with difficult people] and time for war stories--and working through them.
NOW WHAT Meet with CFG at my school to consider options with grant writing"
"Very good but felt like facilitator was rushed. I wanted more time to digest what was being said and opportunity for more discussion and completion"
"Now what--(1) With the ideas and the resources that have been shared today, I feel as if I can and will go to school Monday and begin my action research. I know my question, now I need a plan.
(2) I work with a 'power over' principal so I need to develop my own shield in order to protect myself. I have been so worried about getting by that I had forgotten to protect and value who I am and what I contribute. I will not forget this again."
". . .Would like to role play some difficult conversations I need to have-maybe we could have begun by looking at a dilemma we're working with currently that involves a difficult person. Really liked the time to reflect on my own noble values--wish this piece weren't cut off."
What do you need?
--I need other personnel on my campus to attend this fantastic training. Thank you.
--[I need to] reflect and journal situations to assess effective practices.
--I need to remain connected to great energetic determined "warriors" like the people in today's CFG so that I can receive and give support for the educators of today and the future.
--Grant writing sites
--CFG grant info
--Support on how to start CFG on my campus when administrator does not totally "buy in" to its value
--Continued sessions like these-wonderful to meet and make connections with people from other areas and districts.
--Practice having difficult conversations--practice in safe environment. This is really something I'm working on."
What I learned about facilitation.
--Ask hotel about room noise.
--Allow more time for networking.
Comments (1)
As a facilitator, I felt so grateful to everyone that showed up on Saturday. When coming up with a concept for conversation, I asked "Is this something that people from various backgrounds can relate to?" When the concept of teacher as warrior was introduced everyone was right there with me. That means that the concept is already out there and others have been thinking along the same lines as me. Yes!!!
After everything was over and we had time to reflect, Madelyn and I realized that we forgot to do a formal introduction. Thus, our friends did not have a chance to learn more about each other.
Bill's shield is what a warrior needs to protect
himself or herself on the quest for renewal and growth. Bill had much more to share, but he was generous enough to allow Madelyn and I to fully explore and practice our facilitation skills. Thus, he was unable to fully express his ideas.
This weblog is modern, interactive, and appropriate for the goal of making our conversations public. I love technology.
Posted by Marilyn Cameron | February 27, 2004 8:35 AM
Posted on February 27, 2004 08:35