United We TeachPresenting a United Teaching Front to Our StudentsBrian Wyzlic, MRA 2015@brianwyzlicbrianwyzlic@gmail.com

First things first:

This session can only apply to those who

hear this session.

Second things second:

If you want to interrupt me, go ahead. Just

be nice about it.

Ever have a student complain about their voice not being heard?

Cell phone policy?

Dress code?

Homework?

Book choice?

Ever yourself feel like your voice is not being heard?

Cell phone policy?

Dress code?

Homework?

Book choice?

Raise your hand:

Michigan is a wonderful state

Teachers in Michigan are doing amazing things

People disagree over all kinds of

things, and often for good reasons.

Don’t raise your hand:

Teachers should have autonomy in their classrooms

Students should have choice in their reading

Students reading today’s contemporary YA novels is just as important as them reading the classics

Number of coworkers I’ve agreed with 100%:

We have different philosophies, but we teach the same student body

We already disagree; we actively divide ourselves further

“There’s a technique that helps students raise their test scores. Why wouldn’t you do this?”

There might be valid reasons not to

“You know what I’m talking about.”

“Post this in your break room”

Hashtag-gate

Team #mrahappy

Team #mra15

Most of these things are well-intentioned

That doesn’t mean they don’t have negative effects

We’re trying to bring people together…

…but we end up excluding people

You don’t know who Donalyn

Miller is?

“…who Richard Allington is?”

“…who Robert Marzano is?”

Even if your next sentence is “Let me tell you about them!” you’ve already pushed them away, just a little bit.

Don’t be the straw that breaks the camel’s back

Don’t be any of the straws!

We exclude people who differ from us without meaning to

So what if I accidentally exclude one person?

Birthday problem

Excluding books and the diverse ideas

they contain is often viewed as bad

How much worse is it to exclude a human

being?

Why is this a problem?

People feel isolated

People feel made lesser

Team chemistry

Often, it’s okay when people disagree, feel left out, and don’t feel a part of a team.

But NOT okay when we teach. We owe it to our students to be united as a faculty.

If we’re not united:

Students don’t

respect our pedagogy

Students don’t

respect us

Students don’t

receive the education

they deserve

Three things:

How to present a united front, especially when there is disagreement

How to be a positive force for change

What happens when you’re the one left out?

Unity has nothing to do with being united over pedagogy. Unity has everything to do with being united as people.

“How was your weekend?”

“Terrible.”

“Yeah, mine was pretty good.”

“…”

We probably care about our students, and we see positive results

Do we care about our colleagues? Would we not expect positive results?

“Everyone I get along with: we’re having drinks after work on Friday.”

[Everyone else: screw you]

To trust each other as teachers, we

must first trust each other as people

For so many of us, our ideal workplace is where we work among our friends.

What are we doing to make this a reality where we are?

Community

Dr. Teri Lesesne

“Heraclitus said, ‘You cannot step twice into the same river, for other waters are continually flowing in.’ The same is true for communities. Each time we form one, it is different. Each time it is reassuring to hear that others share your interests. Each time it is challenging because others prefer different genres, formats, reading experiences. Each time it is comforting.”

Who are you more willing to discuss pedagogy with: a friend, or someone you think is wrong and close-minded?

Who are you more willing to listen to: someone who tells you you’re wrong or someone who asks how you teach something?

…so why do we try to tell our colleagues our way is better?

The key: true open-minded collaboration.

“What can we do to help our students learn [concept]?”

“ I do [this

method you

disagree with].”

“I’ve heard of that. It won’t work for me. What else?” “[thanks for telling

me my methods

are crap]”

Instead of…

“What can we do to help our students learn [concept]?”

“ I do [this

method you

disagree with].”

“Tell me about that. How does it work for you?”

“[explanation]”

…try:

The goal is not to pacify your colleagues. It’s not to start doing things you disagree with.

The goal is the success of the students

Change comes in small doses. If your staff is united, the better pedagogy will win out.

If your staff is divided, there’s no hope for improvement

Remember: your methods might not be the best

What happens when we identify

ourselves with a

pedagogical practice?

How to work for change

Start with the person

If you’re angry, be angry – but direct it effectively

Keep the whining behind closed doors

Share success stories

Invite colleagues into your classroom: seeing is believing

Ask if you can observe them

How to spread the word of your

good methods?

What doesn’t work?

Dropping PD books in their mailbox

Telling them about a different method

What about when you’re told you’re wrong?

Avail yourself of administrator support

Research, research, research

Find your tribe

What about when you’re told you’re wrong?

Sounds counterintuitive: meet them halfway

When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.

- Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

When you’re united, there’s nothing you cannot achieve.

Thank you!brianwyzlic@gmail.com