WYDKY Episode 2 is up. You can find it HERE.
Episode 2 is about office politics. One of the scariest things about your first teaching job is that sometimes it’s the first “real” job you’ve ever had. You’ve probably had a job before but a real job. Forgetting to put onions on the quarter pounder at your job is one thing but forgetting to turn in your grades at your real job is something different. Your teaching job is more important to you so messing up can feel more embarrassing. And suddenly all the social interactions you have with co-workers might feel more awkward.
Never fear! Episode 2 is all about navigating the awkward at the office.
Here’s a peek at our “lesson plan” for Episode 2 and a few notes that might help you.
Objective: We want you to be able to work professionally with the other people at your school in order to harness the true power of the whole staff to support your students.
Do Now: Who has the most important job at your school?
Lesson: Some of your college professors probably told you to make friends with the secretary and the janitor when you get a job in a school. Or they might have told you to that you should avoid the teacher lunch room. How can you–a brand new teacher–steer your way through the awkward social situations with the folks who may have been there for decades? Margaret and Glenetta talk for a while about the people who do the most important jobs in your building. And it might not be the people you’re thinking of. And they talk about how to establish and improve your professional standing with your colleagues (HINT: it’s all about the copy machine). And we talk with a principal, Stephen Sippel, about how to establish a good working relationship with your principal.
Homework: Think of the people in your building or district who have made your job easier. And send them some thanks for the help they’ve given to you and your students.
Notes: Here at What You Don’t Know Yet, we’re huge fans of Jennifer Gonzalez at Cult of Pedagogy. She talks about finding your marigold. It’s the same advice that Stephen Sippel gave us. Find the co-workers who are going to lift you up.
Our hosts talk a lot about lunch. It may sound basic, but you’ve got to eat! Here’s some inspiration, but really it’s often just some hummus or a peanut butter sandwich. The important thing is the that you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of your work. So the most basic thing to do is feed yourself.
Credit goes to Jamie Bierne for the four phrases that will help you navigate those awkward social situations: Please, Excuse me, Thank you, I’m sorry. These phrases are also useful for your students. So, if you or your students need to remember them, here are some posters.
We’re all awkward. Help us work on our social skills by keeping in touch with us on Twitter @wydky_pod!
What you don't know YET. . . 