Positive and upbeat Principals create a “ripple effect” leading to positive and happy communities. The happiness of individual Principals has a far reaching affect. According to author Andy Cope, “Your happiness reaches three degrees of people removed from you, so if you’re really happy and positive, then every single person you meet during that day is going…
World Teachers Day Postcards Boost Staff Morale
Teaching and working in schools can be stressful. We work with people every day. We all know that people can be unpredictable. Whilst many schools will hold a special assembly or morning tea to mark World Teachers’ Day on Friday 30 October, I believe that a personal touch in showing appreciation is even better. This…
Do YOUR Staff KNOW How Much You Appreciate Them?
Job satisfaction is a key driver for staff engagement. The four key factors for job satisfaction are:- My work is important I make a difference though my work I am good at my job and What I do is appreciated Most teachers in most schools would confidently answer YES to the first two statements but…
Are Teachers at YOUR School Happy?
A happy staff is essential to a school’s sustained success. Whilst teaching is challenging, most staff should feel happy to work at the school and feel a sense of satisfaction. An unhappy staff is far more likely to ‘go through the motions’ and just do what needs to be done. Recent research by the Centre…
Revolution in the Classroom
Interesting program on Aust ABC TV this week. The program touches superficially on the private vs public school resourcing debate. However the main focus was on strategies being implemented in schools to enhance the quality of teaching. The program looked at some interesting initiatives for giving teachers feedback on the quality of their teaching. The…
“The Most Honorable of ALL Professions”
99% of adults when asked what is the most important thing in their life will reply ‘their family’. For the vast majority of people, the well-being of our children is our most prized possession, more valuable than our house and our car. Parents entrust their most prized possession in the care of staff who work…
Mobile Phones in Schools – pain and potential!
There are more mobile phones in Australia today than there are people – go figure! It’s therefore not surprising that many students in schools have them including many students in the upper primary year levels. The capabilities of today’s smart phones are amazing! Not only do they include calculators and cameras (still and video), many…
7 Sins of Change Leadership
Have you had enough of change? Many working in education complain of change fatigue and this adds to teacher stress. The only constant these days appears to be change! It has been said that the only person who likes change, is a baby with a wet nappy! However some change processes are more successful than others….
THREE Ways to Increase Teacher Motivation
Daniel H. Pink, best selling author of “A Whole New Mind” and “Drive” suggests THREE ways to increase motivation in schools. Pink advocates autonomy, mastery and purpose instead of the tired, traditional carrot-and-stick methods. Speaking at the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Conference in the U.S., Pink believes today’s management approaches in schools tend…