Communication with Teachers and Staff

By Dale Petrulis

In recent years, the school district's relationship with teachers has been contentious. Our district and our teachers have needed outsiders to come in to mediate between them. Morale is low. We need a stronger commitment to communication and collaboration.

Solution:

• Listen to teachers' and staff needs, and solicit input early and often
• Provide stability in the conversations to work to a balanced result
• Bring the "big picture" to the problem-solving that needs to be done
• Build trust by sharing facts and information throughout the decision-making process
• Re-evaluate and modify decisions, if necessary, based upon existing and new information.

"The measure of a society is its reverence for children" Dr. Arnold Gesell (Gesell Instutute of Human Development)