Prerequisites to Good School Management

1
Prerequisites to Good School Management

• Trust
• Rapport
• Common vision

2
Know what is going on at your school
Ask Questions
But remember

• Probe dont cross examine
• Probe dont coach
• Inquire dont challenge
• Uncover dont trap
• Draw out dont pump
• Guide dont dominate

3
Get out of your office and see what is going on

• Walk the halls
• Get into classrooms
• Talk to teachers and other school employees in a
  tactful, nonthreatening manner

4
Create a Positive Atmosphere

• Dont let the desk be a barricade
• Begin conversations in a friendly and informal
  manner
• Be goal oriented and accomplish identified tasks,
  but remembering people are people first!

5
Practice active listening

• Paraphrase feelings accurately
• Paraphrase content accuratelyrepeat the content
  of what is heard in own words
• Use door openersTell me more Sounds
  interesting
• Use acknowledgment responsesMm-mm Yes
  Right Certainly
• Use non-verbalsLook at the person nod head
  lean forward

6
Teacher begins crying

• Let the teacher cry then try to reassure
• Offer a tissue remain silent for a while use a
  soothing tone of voice
• In extreme cases, stop the conversation and
  reschedule for another time
• Try to change the subject find something in
  common or something positive to discuss

7
Teacher is angry

• Smile and give positive responses
• Ask, Is there anything you would like to discuss
  before with me before we..
• State, Remember, we are here to work together
• Be confident maintain good eye contact
• Put some distance between you and the teacher
• DONT Argue
• DONT allow the teacher to be abusive
• Ignore offensive language
• Remain CALM

8
Teacher shows confusion

• Ask --Would you like for me to clarify
  something?
• Rephrase the statement
• Ask --What is the nature of your confusion?
• State --Ill help if I can, or if I dont know,
  Ill find the answer

9
Teacher is frustrated

• Try to minimize stress by talking informally for
  a brief time
• Take a short break, if possible
• Explain that perfection is not expected
• Emphasize strengths
• Try to identify the cause of frustration
• Be supportive
• Try to make a positive statement

10
Teacher receives suggestions, but becomes
defensive

• Use another term for need, such as area to
  strength, area for refinement, or area for
  improvement
• Prepare the teacher during orientation to expect
  suggestions
• Emphasize that everyone can improve
• State-- This is one area I noticed that you
  might want to work on
• Ask-- Could you add something to this
  suggestion?
• Encourage the teacher to express his feelings

11
Be an Empathetic Listener

• Demonstrate an open, accepting attitude through
  body language and furniture placement
• Give the staff member complete attention and
  concentrate on the their words and body language
• Limit remarkslet the staff member do most of the
  talking
• Listen and look for feelings
• Help the them stay on the subject

12
Be an Empathetic Listener

• Dont think ahead planning an answer think about
  what the person is saying
• Dont attempt to analyze the person
• Dont judge or categorize the person or form a
  biased opinion
• Dont tell a someone not to feel that way that
  is beside the pointthe fact is the they do feel
  that way
• Dont complete sentences for them