Welcome to tonight's live #edchatie discussion.
As usual, before we begin, please introduce yourself and remember to always include the hashtag #edchatie in all tweets for the next hour.
I am Michelle, head of a department in a University Library and also an elected staff governor at the same University (@UL) I work with 50 colleagues in our library and about 1,000 in the university of Limerick. Looking forward to this #edchatie
So, let's begin tonight's #edchatie discussion on "Staff relations"
What are your thoughts on this very open topic?
We've recently discussed a lot around staff wellbeing, so interested to see where this focus takes us.
#edchatie Sandra ex BAC. Organised a brilliant talk with @jacinta_kitt for the LFI pre school staff gathering last August and as she said there are some people whose negativity can be contagious! Everyone in audience identified with what she said.
More bedtime listening for insomniac teachers & leaders. Thanks to the ever patient @Insideed Hope I don't put anybody off applying for a principalship 😬 It is a great job! #edchatie
On the most recent Inside Education @DonegalPaul9 discusses principalship, inspiration, and weather. He has great recommendations for reading material too: https://t.co/wCe5635i4J. Enjoy
everyone will have different views but wellbeing and a sense of being valued is (IMHO) fundamental to staff relations #edchatie Everyone in work plays a role in this; being ‘nice’ / friendly should not be optional, it’s a core responsibility we all have
#edchatie Sandra ex BAC. Organised a brilliant talk with @jacinta_kitt for the LFI pre school staff gathering last August and as she said there are some people whose negativity can be contagious! Everyone in audience identified with what she said.
I remember the last time there was a topic very similar to this, people were afraid to say anything so publicly! Will be interesting to see if times have changed. 👀 #edchatie
we need to be aware of what / who pushes our buttons and be prepared not to interact with those people on days we just can’t deal with things - we all have days like this, put your best foot forward on days you’re feeling ‘able’ and look for positives in people #edchatie
#edchatie activities organised tend to be by school social committees rather than school management. Latter most likely would not have budget for this when barely can afford to run school.
Agreed #edchatie Basic etiquette for workplace should be normal practice but if you need to draft guidelines to help, do that. Put a poster in your staff room to remind everyone
Cannot stress the importance of a friendly, welcoming staffroom enough. Worked in a school where I felt like I couldn't approach teachers in other departments for support #edchatie
Great point, avoid ‘cliques’ where possible, take your break (where possible) with different people and at different times in different places - easier in a Uni than in a school admittedly #edchatie
#edchatie remember a student saying to me that a colleague did not like me. He witnessed unacceptable behaviour. If students are aware of it, it's a problem.
TBH, given the public nature of Twitter, a topic like this & that many here tweet under own names I doubt that much will be said. I’ve worked in a few schools past few years & observed plenty of negativity in staffrooms. I try to steer clear. #edchatie
Can the size of a staffroom have a positive/negative affect on "Staff relations"?
There are a lot more large (1,000+) schools in the country these days.
#edchatie
Don't forget we were all the new kid in the staffroom at one point - try and make new staff feel welcome and included. Not great at this myself tbh as I feel like I'm a bit socially awkward but trying to get better #edchatie
#edchatie currently working in two schools (shared SET). Staff relations in both excellent, led by two principals who set the tone for the rest of the staff. Makes a huge difference.
#edchatie Miriam PP tchr in Thurles. Think a friendly staffroom makes our jobs so much easier. It would be nice to see more Croke parks hours used for team building activities for tchrs, we did a walk before it was great...
Think current stress levels with new curriculum @JCforTeachers@jctMFL etc putting pressure on staff relations. No time for #TeachersWellbeing anymore. Increasing demands from parents too. All takes its toll #edchatie
Mary guidance counsellor, Galway, just unceremoniously fell down my stairs, smashed my leg which is now ‘nailed’ together! I’m covering maternity leave in school & staff hardly know me Yet they took the time to get in touch to wish me well - that’s good staff relations #edchatie
Common courtesy seriously lacking in many staffrooms. Guess, you will always have cliques though. You just have to rise above it. Do your job. Staffrooms can be toxic. Avoid if you can. #edchatie
I agree. But that’s often easier said than done when said negativity is impacting on you personally and/or professionally. There are occasional glimmers of positivity too. So much focus on pupil wellbeing but let’s not forget teacher wellbeing. #edchatie
#edchatie always found food, bringing in home baked cakes into school effective or croissants in the morning before school started. Small actions make a huge difference.
Have worked in large schools. Have to say great camaraderie and more time for social events. Was different era though. No pressure re curricula changes, fear of inspections etc. People had more time to sit down and chat. Not same now #edchatie
Joined my current school with several others. Principal arranged a murder mystery outing as a bonding exercise. Worked in teams of 6/7, new staff spread around, was a great way to get to know a small group to start with #edchatie
#edchatie Spent three years rising above it and know how difficult it is. However, bullying is very different. However a toxic work environment fuels it.
Current one smallish. Less men than women. A lot of cliques Younger teachers seem to be taking over. Then, can't blame them. Trying to get a 2nd yr for CID. Think we all were like that. #edchatie
We're just over halfway in tonight's #edchatie discussion on the topic of "Staff relations".
Watch out for the special #edchatie announcement at the end of tonight's chat.
Honesty and sorting things out at the time are important for good staff relations. Restorative practice approach also works well in this setting ( for both pupils and staff relations). Positivity is key and also contagious #edchatie
As long as it happens during school time/CP hours no problem. Spent too much time in private sector where employers thought I wanted to spend more time away from my daughter to bond. Willingness to engage needs to be voluntary not forced #edchatie
We used to organise spa days and trips to musicals yrs ago. Think more time then. People were less stressed. Miss retired gang. Some gud ngts out #edchatie
In reply to
@dhubhda, @johnmayo, @fboss, @AlbemarleHigh
Huge shame. Often some great collaborative ideas come from that relaxed space. Current pressures have adversely impacted on relationships not just between staff but also students. #edchatie
We just ran a health promotion week in @PearseCollege and was excellent. Big believer in posting a calendar of staff events on wall (much like CPD calendar) with option to join or not. Vary events from drinks to cinema to walks all at varying times/days for inclusion #edchatie
There is diversity in staff as there are in student body, so no one remedy! if something is wrong we talk directly with the student so same with staff, nobody wants to be unhappy, basic niceness is universally welcome I think, smile & good morning? #edchatie
Circuit class after school tomorrow for staff and students. Healthy January initiative. Want to go as do circuit classes but clashes with SEN meeting after school as no time to meet on timetable #,#edchatie
In reply to
@dhubhda, @ciaraquill, @johnmayo, @fboss, @AlbemarleHigh
#TeacherPlea. Has anyone got an eye on or an ear of rushes growing within driving distance of Limerick City? My class haven’t had the chance to make a St Brigid cross before and it was one of my favourite days in school. #Limerick#edchatie#StBrigid#Spring
Young in terms of teaching career not so young chronologically. It's interesting given I'm a LPT advocating with some teachers who are only 8 years older than my daughter!! Sit in an interesting space !! #edchatie
In reply to
@LangTeachersIre, @johnmayo, @fboss, @AlbemarleHigh
Interesting to watch young and not so young engage. We can learn a lot too from one another. Yes, staffrooms interesting environments. Few sincere friends on a staff. 'Love many trust few comes to mind' keep your business to yourself is often best #edchatie
In reply to
@dhubhda, @johnmayo, @fboss, @AlbemarleHigh
#edchatie like this idea, different staff events could be planned for a term depending on the weather...I find many social outings tend to be focused around pubs which does nt really interest me!
yes our job can be lonely but think that is why it is so important to ask for help/advice/support every now and then...regardless of how much experience one has...#edchatie
In reply to
@LangTeachersIre, @dhubhda, @johnmayo, @fboss, @AlbemarleHigh
Also bear in mind that many teachers go from school to school as subs & may only spend a few months in a staffroom. That’s the increasing casualisation nature of the job. Many non CID/perm teachers just keep the heads down and avoid the politics #edchatie
In reply to
@miriambergin, @LangTeachersIre, @dhubhda, @johnmayo, @fboss, @AlbemarleHigh
I dunno I think attitude is important, take stock & realise one life work big part so should be enjoyable, personally I love chatting & having a laugh #edchatie learned from experience life too short
