Managing Sticky Situations in the Classroom

<h1>Managing Sticky Situations in the Classroom</h1>Author: <a title="Joan Curtis" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/joan-curtis/54839.htm">Joan Curtis</a> Fall is in the air and the school doors are about to open.  For many, this year offers some unique challenges.  Many schools are facing budget cuts and some personnel cuts.  These reductions place greater pressure on the people who remain.  As demands increase but resources shrink, we face a world ripe for “sticky situations.” In the book, Managing Sticky Situations at Work, I described a school-related situation in which two teachers had trouble working together.  This example might represent a typical problem in many schools where teachers face one another all day and in the teachers’ lounges. Another issue that today’s schools face is parent and teacher conflicts.  Many parents expect their children to get a certain level of attention.  Some expect the teacher to focus on their child completely.  Some teachers, on the other hand, expect parents to do things at home that overly stressed, dual-employed people might not be able to do.  These expectations create conflict. What can you do if you find yourself confronted with these kinds of sticky situations?  Think about the following three tips: • Approach each situation with the realization that you cannot change the other person.  Change is within you.  When you change, you shift the dynamic of the relationship.  That causes a shift which could result in a behavior change in others.  But, it may not. • Second, go into all situations with a healthy sense of curiosity.  Learn why the parents cannot provide attention or support that you, as a teacher expect.  As a parent, learn the reasons a teacher cannot sit with your child to soothe him after a disappointing experience.  Listen with curiosity.  You might learn a lot about the situation that you never realized. • Third, show compassion for the other person.  Don’t judge or blame.  Judging and blaming close off communication.  When you go into the conversation wondering what it must be like to be that other person, you can better relate to their point of view. The school environment is ripe with sticky situations.  It’s a place where people must work in close proximity with few resources and limited time to communicate.  It’s like a very small community, where for everything to function, everyone must give and take.  The definition of conflict is “when two people want to be in the same place, but there’s room for only one.”  A child wants 2 hours of attention and the teacher has 10 minutes.  A librarian wants display space, and teachers want study-hall space.  A parent wants tutoring for a special needs child, and tutors are already assigned.  The list is endless.  Change, curiosity and compassion will lead to healthier communication and ways to overcome these challenges.About the Author: With over 18 years experience as a speaker and trainer, Dr. Joan Curtis brings energy and enthusiasm to her programs. She is the author of the newly released book, Managing Sticky Situations at Work: Communication Secrets for Success in the Workplace, learn more at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.stickysituationsatwork.com.To">http://www.stickysituationsatwork.com.To</a> learn more about all kinds of sticky situations work join the sticky situation website and you will receive a free introductory chapter to the book as well as a bonus white paper: Three Communication Secrets for Success in the Workplace. Find out how well you handle conflict by taking this free assessment <a target="_blank" href="http://www.totalcommunicationscoach.com/how-to-handle-conflict.htm">http://www.totalcommunicationscoach.com/how-to-handle-conflict.htm</a>Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/managing-sticky-situations-in-the-classroom-1242580.html" title="Managing Sticky Situations in the Classroom">Managing Sticky Situations in the Classroom</a>

Fall is in the air and the school doors are about to open. For many, this year offers some unique challenges. Many schools are facing budget cuts and some personnel cuts. These reductions place greater pressure on the people who remain. As demands increase but resources shrink, we face a world ripe for “sticky situations.”

In the book, Managing Sticky Situations at Work, I described a school-related situation in which two teachers had trouble working together. This example might represent a typical problem in many schools where teachers face one another all day and in the teachers’ lounges.

Another issue that today’s schools face is parent and teacher conflicts. Many parents expect their children to get a certain level of attention. Some expect the teacher to focus on their child completely. Some teachers, on the other hand, expect parents to do things at home that overly stressed, dual-employed people might not be able to do. These expectations create conflict.

What can you do if you find yourself confronted with these kinds of sticky situations? Think about the following three tips:

• Approach each situation with the realization that you cannot change the other person. Change is within you. When you change, you shift the dynamic of the relationship. That causes a shift which could result in a behavior change in others. But, it may not.

• Second, go into all situations with a healthy sense of curiosity. Learn why the parents cannot provide attention or support that you, as a teacher expect. As a parent, learn the reasons a teacher cannot sit with your child to soothe him after a disappointing experience. Listen with curiosity. You might learn a lot about the situation that you never realized.

• Third, show compassion for the other person. Don’t judge or blame. Judging and blaming close off communication. When you go into the conversation wondering what it must be like to be that other person, you can better relate to their point of view.

The school environment is ripe with sticky situations. It’s a place where people must work in close proximity with few resources and limited time to communicate. It’s like a very small community, where for everything to function, everyone must give and take. The definition of conflict is “when two people want to be in the same place, but there’s room for only one.” A child wants 2 hours of attention and the teacher has 10 minutes. A librarian wants display space, and teachers want study-hall space. A parent wants tutoring for a special needs child, and tutors are already assigned. The list is endless. Change, curiosity and compassion will lead to healthier communication and ways to overcome these challenges.

With over 18 years experience as a speaker and trainer, Dr. Joan Curtis brings energy and enthusiasm to her programs. She is the author of the newly released book, Managing Sticky Situations at Work: Communication Secrets for Success in the Workplace, learn more at http://www.stickysituationsatwork.com.To learn more about all kinds of sticky situations work join the sticky situation website and you will receive a free introductory chapter to the book as well as a bonus white paper: Three Communication Secrets for Success in the Workplace. Find out how well you handle conflict by taking this free assessment http://www.totalcommunicationscoach.com/how-to-handle-conflict.htm

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Article Tags: coach, coaching, coaches, communication, challenges for teachers, communicating with parents

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