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From Difficult Teachers . . . to Dynamic Teams
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From Difficult Teachers . . . to Dynamic Teams

Edited by:


May 2009 | 176 pages | Corwin

"This book reflects a true understanding of the different personalities administrators face and clearly outlines what each leader can do to establish a positive environment for their employees and students. This is one book no administrator should be without."
—Patricia Bowman, Retired Principal, Los Angeles Unified School District
Adjunct Professor, University of California, Los Angeles

Proven solutions for toxic behaviors!

Unconstructive staff behaviors can disrupt a thriving school environment. School leaders need positive, generative communication strategies that can defuse negativity and inspire teachers to change their behavior and become contributing members of the learning community.

From Difficult Teachers…to Dynamic Teamwork examines the underlying basis of problematic behaviors and provides proactive, proven strategies for building teamwork and a positive school culture. Leaders will discover strategies for enhancing their interpersonal skills, determining if their own behavior is contributing to the problem, and encouraging behavior change in teachers and staff. Based on interviews with more than 50 experienced principals, this valuable resource connects content to practice via:

  • Key tools, practical resources, organizational charts, and behavior assessment forms
  • Sage advice and quotations from experienced educators
  • Sample dialogues to help identify behavior challenges
  • "Take Action" sections for specific implementation strategies

Maximize the effectiveness of your staff by building a culture of shared leadership, collegiality, and teamwork!


 
Introduction
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Part I. Identification and Understanding
 
1. Understanding Difficult Teachers
Who Are They?

 
How Did They Get This Way?

 
What Do Difficult Teachers Want?

 
The Effects of Difficult Teachers

 
 
2. Difficult Teachers, Difficult Behaviors
Chronic Comnplainers

 
Negative Teachers

 
Inflexible Teachers

 
Noncompliant

 
Gossipers

 
Anarchists

 
Snipers

 
Bullies

 
Noisemakers

 
Selfish Teachers

 
 
Part II. Solutions and Strategies
 
3. Facilitating Behavior Change: Conversations, Warnings, and Improvement Plans
Before a Problem Occurs

 
How to Encourage Behavior Change

 
When Conversations Fail

 
 
4. Am I Contributing to the Problem?
Why Are Some Principals "Difficult"?

 
Could Your Behavior Be Considered Difficult?

 
Fertile Ground for Difficult Teachers

 
Gender-Related Differences in Difficult Behaviors

 
Strategies for Change

 
 
Part III. Prevention
 
5. Interpersonal Skills That Help
Listening to Understand

 
Speaking for Understanding

 
Body Language

 
Defusing Emotionally Charged Conversations

 
 
6. Creating a Culture of Teamwork
Building a Positive Culture

 
Focusing on Positive Teachers

 
Creating a Spirit of Teamwork

 
Rewarding Positive People

 
 
References
 
Resources
 
Index

"This is one of the most interesting books I have read to date. This book absolutely fills a void in the field: how to recognize difficult behaviors in teachers and how to reshape their behaviors to help them improve their enjoyment of school and a school’s culture."

Nora G. Friedman, Principal
South Grove Elementary School, Syosset, NY

“This book reflects a true understanding of the different personalities principals and administrators face and clearly outlines what each leader can—and should—do to establish a positive, proactive environment for their employees and the students. This is one book no administrator should be without.”

Patricia Bowman, Retired Principal, Los Angeles Unified School District
Adjunct Professor, University of California, Los Angeles

"What do you do as a principal when you encounter difficult teachers? Brock and Grady deal with this problem head-on as they identify frequently troublesome behaviors, strategies that have proven successful in dealing with problems, and suggestions to help prevent these behaviors in the first place by building a positive culture of shared leadership and teamwork."

Ronald G. Joekel, Emeritus Executive Director, Phi Delta Kappa International
Emeritus Professor, University of Nebraska

"This should be required reading for all principals, aspiring principals, administrators, and teachers. As a principal of 28 years, I was able to identify all of the descriptors of how people function and how one could react to different styles of personal interaction. The content will resonate with principals irrespective of the type of school."

Jennifer Fraser, Principal
St Michael's Primary, Baulkham Hills, Australia

“Recently, a colleague and I attended a conference that required a lengthy drive. During the drive, I read this book out loud. We laughed, made jokes, complained, and agreed and disagreed with the authors. This entertaining book is a painless way to study a disagreeable topic. The guidance offered is easily applied to situations we face on a daily basis."

Kaye L. Peery, Superintendent
Zuni Public School District, NM
Key features
  • The Take Action section at the end of each chapter offers principals immediate steps for implementing the material presented
  • Numerous charts and assessment forms found in chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6 are key tools for busy school leaders
  • Quotations peppered throughout the book, taken from conversations with teachers and interviews with principals, help readers connect the content to their own practice

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1

Introduction


For instructors

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ISBN: 9781452211060

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