When faced with shaking your comfort zone & moving into the unknown - or at least the fog - it is reassuring and rewarding to witness when positive "shift" occurs in people around you. This week I witnessed such a positive internal realignment on the part of two co-workers.
One is an ACT III trained career teacher who was "reassigned" to the role of a Primary Reading Teacher (not the lead teacher role she has known for the past 12 years). The initial 'erk' was big and hard to swallow for this very caring and sensitive teacher. Using what she knows about Control Theory & the Loop, the adjustments made and ability to change her reference. Her reference shift & attitiude was "this is going to give me the opportunity to interact with and help more students with far less stress". Choosing a positive approach has eased her initial pain.
The second teacher is not ACT trained, but clearly understands the fundamental concepts of self-evaluation & redirection. School has been in session for only one week; the room is set and bulletin boards & instructional goals are in place... UNTIL... On Thursday afternoon this career teacher was presented with a wonderful yet "status" shattering opportunity. Her room will soon be transformed into the technological classroom of the 21st Century. Talk about upsetting the applecart - new tools, new techniques, new room arrangement, new instructional direction. Most would have a "hissy-fit" and question "Why now, why this; I'm already set & prepared?". Amazingly just the opposite occurred. In our conversation - just after the classroom visit - the response was "You know, I'm thinking this is going to work. This is going to be a good thing for the kids; we can do it!" What a positive shift in thinking again choosing to seek a new reference.
What amazing strength and insight on the part of both these ladies who when looking into the the eyes of the evil "change monster" faced with an unbelievable challenge and to seek a new reference midstream. It's wonderful to see someone "bump it up" to a higher level to resolve a conflict at a lower level. Understanding how to deal & react in such situations is healthy.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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1 comment:
It certainly is wonderful. I often wonder as I see people struggling in my school with constant change and unknow, how can I help them make that shift? Of course, my PCT training tells me that the shift has to be internal. It is one of those paradoxes that Shelley is always talking about. :0)
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