One of Markham’s statements that made me stop is, “Those emotions (undertone of resignation, cynicism, and learned helplessness) leak into the school culture, don’t fuel the creative parts of the brain, and lead to inertia, not innovation.” The large majority of the teachers I know love being in the classroom; however all the politics, administrative decisions and district policies can sometimes have a powerful negative impact on the school culture. As a result, the emotions mentioned begin to overpower the desire and creativity of teachers and they shut down. So, when new initiatives are introduced or opportunities for professional learning are offered, teacher support and interest have been greatly greatly affected, and halting possible progress. So how can we counter this?
Markham suggests, “tapping the deepest energies of teachers, requires a connection with big, meaningful themes that promise a significant, positive effect on the world.” He lists the following themes:
- appreciate the power, beauty, and challenge of the present moment
- contribute to a global vision
- redefine smart
- live the collaborative reality
I am left asking myself, how can I effectively communicate this to my colleagues? I will end with Markham’s words, “Overall, employees become part of a ‘story’ that enrolls them in a cause and brings out their best talents.”
Markham, T. (2015, February 11). Redefining Teachers with a 21st Century Education ‘Story’. Retrieved June 20, 2015, from http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/02/11/redefining-teachers-with-a-21st-century-education-story/