Secrets … You’re teachers will never admit.

I have recently conducted some confidential interviews and surveys with teachers and principals… And to my surprise, I noticed a definite disconnect.

The teachers I talked to were more likely to talk confidentially about behavior problems in their classroom. I had a principal go on and on about how his teachers deal with behavior problems successfully. But then I got a completely different story from his teachers.

Now how could that happen… -Well it happens in every poorly run organization in the world.

I have found a missing component in every poorly run organization that I have ever studied. There is good news… it’s a simple fix, but not an easy one.

Honesty!

It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you are from. For the most part, very few people are willing to tell the truth if it might threaten their job or public image.

So let me ask you… Are you’re teachers completely honest with you? Do they feel safe enough to admit that they have a problem and need you’re help. Are they confident that you will help them overcome difficulties and teach them how to handle it in the future.(Without any fear and any judgment)

Let me give you some advice!

Watch all you’re teachers intently and try to identify any of them that may be having difficulties handling their kids. Use you’re gut, and when you find a suspect, – have a private conversation… This is what you can say: (let’s say her name is Jane)

Jane, do you know what the most difficult part of my job is? I have to do a balancing act! I feel like I am expected to be strong, confident, and extremely competent. But at the same time I also realize that I need to be open, honest, and helpful.

Sometimes I am not very good at being open and helpful. So I know it’s hard to come to me if you are having a problem in you’re classroom. And if that’s true for you… Then I want to change that now. So please help me understand any problems that you are having and how I can help.

You really should have a conversation like this with every one of you’re teachers, if you have the guts.

There is one thing that can ruin this whole process… if you let you’re ego get in the way. You will get some complaints that you don’t like, and you will be tempted to defend or attack. Don’t Do It!

Just write it down and take some time and think about it for a while. Be completely honest with yourself about it, and admit it if you have made any mistakes.

What I am really trying to help you do is create an environment where it’s safe to be truthful and it’s OK to make mistakes, then learn from them and move onto create a system that helps to eliminate the same mistake in the future.

Remember what I always say: If you don’t have a system in place to handle and eliminate behavior problems, then you are at the mercy of someone else’s system. This is always good for them and never good for you.

If you feel like you need help in any way, then please let me know.

Thanks Again!

Aaron Beckstead
Character Always- “The Missing Piece in Positive Discipline and Character Education”
character.always@gmail.com