Slow Down, Accomplish More!
In this article in Edutopia, Elena Aguilar (a leadership coach in Oakland, California) suggests ways that educators can slow down, reflect more about their work, and strengthen human connections:
• Identify a few essential goals. “The primary obstacle to school improvement that I see is the problem of ‘doing too much,’” says Aguilar. “Districts have strategic plans with 27 initiatives, schools have four annual goals, teachers have six professional practice goals, and so on.” She suggests making your own prioritized wish list and crossing out the last item on the list.
• Trim your commitments. It’s not essential to attend every sporting event and every school board meeting, she says. “Reduce what you do and the information that comes in… Don’t fill every moment.”
• Take the time to structure meetings up front. “When people haven’t been given a chance to physically, mentally, and emotionally arrive at the meeting… then they can’t be fully present and able to participate effectively,” says Aguilar. She suggests taking 10-15 minutes to preview the agenda, clarify what is to be accomplished, and briefly connect with one another.
• Take the time to end meetings properly. “Closing routines provide a critical moment for participants to make sense of what’s happened and determine the most effective next steps,” she says. “This takes some time and can’t be rushed.”
• Put the agenda on a diet. “It took me many years to learn that I needed to ruthlessly cut and prune my agendas,” says Aguilar. This reduces stress and increases productivity and satisfaction.
• Pick a good moment and regularly ask a colleague a thoughtful question. For example, “What’s something you’re feeling really good about this year?” “What’s been your greatest accomplishment as a teacher?” “Tell me about a student you felt you made a difference with.”
• Ask a student or parent a thoughtful question. For example, “Tell me what you feel really good about.” “What’s something you’d like me to know about you?” “How can I understand you better?”
• Eat lunch. Aguilar suggests munching without multitasking one day a week. Better yet, eat with a colleague, focusing on positive conversation.
• If you’re sick, stay home. “You can’t reflect and make intentional decisions if you’re sick,” she says. “Sleep, rest, drink fluids, you know the routine.”
• Practice self-care. “I know that if I don’t take care of myself, I’m useless in this struggle to transform our schools,” says Aguilar. Caring for ourselves is not self-indulgence; it’s self-preservation so we can do our best work for students.
“Teachers: 10 Tips for Slowing Down” by Elena Aguilar in Edutopia, Jan. 21, 2014,
Stephen Anderson
No comments:
Post a Comment