Modelling Vulnerability in our Schools
As teachers, the path to end up at your present school is not the same for some as it is for others. Some staff members may have been at the school for years, some are in their beginning years at the school, and others are on contract for one year (or less). As a new teacher I'm not naive to think that integrating new staff members into a building is always seamless, as with new teachers comes new attitudes, philosophies, and outlooks. You don't pick your family members, and you don't pick your colleagues. However, as I reflect on the months I've spent at my current school, being a supportive and reflective teammate who listens to those around you will not only build a culture among staff, but improve student learning outcomes. In my University days, admittingly I always compared myself to those around me. Some of my colleagues would have enough information on Jean Piaget to write a biography, while others were left wondering who he was and why he was relevant to o...