5/19/12

The Power of Listening

Listening to people has proved to be an essential tool for me. As the leader of a group I have felt the need to develop a good ear ( This is absolutly paradoxical if I consider my hearing problem!!) I absolutly think that listening  to my colleagues is, apart from reflection, another interesting way to grow.
Listening to my partners seems to have a double benefit. On the one hand everyone needs to be heard and understood,it is in this way that we get to know each other. I think that teachers should feel that their opinions are respected  and considered regardless of whether we end up agreeing or not.I have always tried to build this kind of working community. Teachers know they can come up to me and express their thoughts, put forward whatever they consider reasonably. I am convinced that having this possibility may motivate them to suggest some new ideas and projects, and at the same time it may help them develop a sense of belonging.
On the other hand, considering what people say, gives me a broader view. Sometimes I may think or believe that certain things should be on one way and reality in the classroom may show something different, teachers are the ones that can account for this.
 I listen.
 I also have the need to be listened to.This is not easy for everyone, and I feel that for some people this is a hard job! Sometimes it is difficult to listen,to reflect on what is being said and what is more, to be open-minded enough so as to change your mind and say: You may be right.
I would like to work with people who are good listeners and make the effort to see the world through the eyes of others, people who can reflect , people who can show capacity for empathy. People who can learn a lot from listening...


"A good listener tries to understand what the other person is saying. In the end he may disagree sharply, but because he disagrees, he wants to know exactly what it is he is disagreeing with."
Kenneth A. Wells







4/5/12

Reflecting upon Reflecting

I have been  reflecting a lot on reflection. I came to the conclusion that even though I consider myself  reflective , my reflections, generally on a rush, could definitely be improved.
By on a rush, I mean, thinking about important issues in the least predictable places, or what is more, reflecting with my colleagues while walking along the playground, or answering two or three important questions at the same time...It is true that  all these instances can trigger off a lot of thinking, however, reflection deserves a better place.
I felt really enthusiastic reading my colleagues' blogs and logs and I discovered that most of the teachers were  more reflective than I imagined . Building this community, where we share our teaching strategies,thoughts, doubts, beliefs, weaknesess , queries and the interaction with my mates makes me grow. I have read in an article that teachers that explore their own teaching develop changes in atittudes and become much more aware of what is really happening and this benefits not only their professional growth but the support they provide their students with.
Working as a head gives me a different possibility. On the one hand, reflecting upon the teachers' practices and on the other hand reflecting on my performance in many different aspects: my work with the teachers, the heads, parents, sychologists, the progammes, the teachers' plans, the impact on the students'work...Sometimes I feel overwhelmed!
Keeping my reflections in black and white will help and I will feel accompanied by all the ones who feel like reading my comments.




"Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action."
                                                           James Levin
 

2/13/12

Getting Started!

Hey! Iam very happy to say that this is my second blog, however each of them has a totally different identity.In this my second blog I will transmit my inner explorations and reflections upon my role as a head of a junior school and some other things...