Week 5 Discussion - Handling Conflict

Handling Conflict

Sunday, February 2, 2020, 6:07 PM

School Leaders are faced with conflict daily and must evaluate each situation on an

individual basis. Last week, we had a situation between two teachers at a staff meeting

that escalated quickly. During the staff meeting, groups were asked to work together

to

discuss and provide feedback on a given scenario. One teacher was disengaged and

when a member of the admin team went to privately address her, a member of her

group Inserted herself in the discussion which did not sit well with the disengaged

teacher

so she had words with the teacher. At this point the inserted teacher left the

meeting to collect herself.

After about fifteen minutes, the principal texted her to come

back to the meeting which she responded she needed more time to collect herself. The

p

rincipal responded that she should not return nor should she attend the night’s

basketball game (which she leads the cheerleading team).

At this point, the teacher

had a choice response via text to the principal, with which the principal did not respond.

The following day, the principal met with the inserted teacher to discuss how the events

unfolded. Needless to say, the inserted teacher did not feel supported with the actions

of the principal and felt the use of text in lieu of a face to face contact

was

unprofessional.

Throughout this situation, I had a range of feelings. First, the inserted teacher was

wrong to insert herself however the disengaged teacher’s behavior is a constant and

rarely addressed by the Admin Team.

I do believe, in hindsight

,

the principal should

have communicated with the inserted teacher face to face. In addition, I do not believe

the consequence fit the action. Not allowing the teacher to attend the basketball game

affected the students of the cheerleading squad which is

unfortunate that students were

impacted by a teacher situation.

I think in the future, remembering that communicating

through text can be impersonal and can be misinterpreted so face to face

conversations, with cool off time, may be the best way to solve

conflict.

Handling Conflict

Sunday, February 2, 2020, 6:07 PM

School Leaders are faced with conflict daily and must evaluate each situation on an

individual basis. Last week, we had a situation between two teachers at a staff meeting

that escalated quickly. During the staff meeting, groups were asked to work together to

discuss and provide feedback on a given scenario. One teacher was disengaged and

when a member of the admin team went to privately address her, a member of her

group Inserted herself in the discussion which did not sit well with the disengaged

teacher so she had words with the teacher. At this point the inserted teacher left the

meeting to collect herself. After about fifteen minutes, the principal texted her to come

back to the meeting which she responded she needed more time to collect herself. The

principal responded that she should not return nor should she attend the night’s

basketball game (which she leads the cheerleading team). At this point, the teacher

had a choice response via text to the principal, with which the principal did not respond.

The following day, the principal met with the inserted teacher to discuss how the events

unfolded. Needless to say, the inserted teacher did not feel supported with the actions

of the principal and felt the use of text in lieu of a face to face contact was

unprofessional.

Throughout this situation, I had a range of feelings. First, the inserted teacher was

wrong to insert herself however the disengaged teacher’s behavior is a constant and

rarely addressed by the Admin Team. I do believe, in hindsight, the principal should

have communicated with the inserted teacher face to face. In addition, I do not believe

the consequence fit the action. Not allowing the teacher to attend the basketball game

affected the students of the cheerleading squad which is unfortunate that students were

impacted by a teacher situation. I think in the future, remembering that communicating

through text can be impersonal and can be misinterpreted so face to face

conversations, with cool off time, may be the best way to solve conflict.