Building community & Boosting morale"We can't build our collective capacity in a vacuum, we can only build it as a community." These words have stayed with me since my associate superintendent shared it with us during one of our weekly meetings. At the time, I was so focused on efficiency and moving practice forward that I hadn't been intentional with 'building community' amongst my staff. As coaches, what is our role in helping foster a positive work environment? It's really all in the little things we do. Set Up a Staff Shout-Out Wall! Working in education, we are continuously supporting each other and going out of our way to lend a hand, why not celebrate it! There are many versions of staff shout-out boards on Pinterest. The intention is to create a public space where colleagues can celebrate each other and highlight acts of kindness, big and small. I created our shout-out wall near our teacher boxes so it can be seen by all staff members. Set up took less than 30 minutes and by the first day there were already five shout-outs! I mean who doesn't get warm fuzzies when someone takes the time give you kudos for just being you? I appointed myself the shout-out wall monitor, restocking our shout-out forms, leaving shout-outs up for at least a week before placing it in the staff member's box. I even attach a kudos ribbon to make it a little extra special. It's a simple cut-out and yet I see my colleagues hold onto them, posting them in classrooms or bulletins. You can download the free shout-out template here. Kick-off a Traveling Appreciation Book This community building strategy started after I accidentally ordered this amazing book! I had been trying to learn more about sketchnotes and apparently I hit the 'one-click ordering' on my screen. Two days later it was at my doorstep and I was trying to figure out how to use this fun resource. Thus, the 'Traveling Sketchbook' was born! I was inspired to use it as a traveling sketchbook so that I could share it with all my coach friends while also giving us an opportunity to express our appreciation for one another. The premise was simple, after having a few days with the book we would write a message for someone and send it on its way to that person. This would continue until the sketchbook had made its way to all 12 of us! I included a little note outlining the process and a handy checklist so that we could keep track of who had received it. After 13 weeks it made its way back to me! I started this in March and it was a great way to brighten each other's day during the long stretch after Spring Break. I'm getting ready to kick-off this process once again! Deliver Thank-You Cards or Treats Who doesn't love receiving a handwritten thank you card? Positive psychology studies have found that gratitude measurably increases happiness and fosters optimism. A simple expression of gratitude can be the silver lining to someone's bad day or the double rainbow to someone's good day. When should we express gratitude? In coaching there are so many opportunities and taking advantage of these opportunities will help you build rapport and strengthen relationships. Have you finished working with a teacher for the first time? Write them a little note and place it in their box. Is one of your colleagues having a rough day? Leave a little treat at their desk. I make it a point to always have Thank You cards and small tokens in my office. The Target dollar section is my go to for restocking. Remember, these don't have to be grand gestures! Start Planning Days with a Community Building Activity For the past two years I have made it a point to start every inservice or planning day with a brief community building activity. I've looked through dozens of the typical 'ice-breaker/team-building' activities and made adjustments so that they relate to the work we do in education. Today I'll share with you my all-time favorite, the Double Draw! Set is is easy, just have cardstock and markers. Before my team arrives, I fold the sheets in half vertically, place a dot towards the top of the paper along the fold, and tape the sheets to the table. This is a partner activity so I will include or excuse myself based on the number of people in my group. Directions:
I always conclude our community building activity with a brief reflection of its purpose. For example the double-draw:
The work we do is hard and in education we are constantly managing pressures and demands from parents, students, admin, and colleagues. Building community is essential to our work. Without our community we would burn-out. As coaches let's invest a little time in building that community and fostering positive relationships. Be creative! Spread happiness!
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Flavia BahenaIntervention Specialist Archives
June 2020
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