staying out of conversations

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Home : 2002 : May : 11

staying out of conversations
By Cathy-Dee

I agree that getting into conversations where staff are talking about other staff is not the way to go. I personally haven't had to deal with this on a large scale basis. There are times when a colleague might drive you
crazy or you may be worried about them for some reason, and at that time you might seek advice from another colleague. I think this is very different from gathering in a corner to "talk about" someone.
As far as sharing new ideas or expressing one's views, it so very much depends on how it is shared. I love new ideas and I love sharing, but I have learned over the years to tread carefully.

Not everyone is as enthusiastic about new ideas. I have also found that sometimes newer teachers are more excited to share and this can come off in a wrong way to others.

There are so many ways to be positively involved in one's school without getting into those discussions or battles. Go into the staffroom for lunch, if the conversation gets into an area you don't feel comfortable with, quietly leave to go do work in your room. Bring up interesting topics or questions before the conversation gets out of hand. In our staff room we talk about everything from camping to movies to new resources, etc.,

As far as others not liking you because you are passionate, it may not necessarily be that, but it may be that they don't want to be compared to you. I know as an experienced teacher when there are a lot of new teachers on staff I sometimes feel guilty when I'm not spending my weekends in school like they are - then I think back to my first few years when I did spend those hours. And not every teacher is completely confident in their abilities so new ideas make them nervous. And I think it's great you want to share what you are doing, but perhaps you need to control your enthusiam just a bit until your colleagues really get to know you.