+ Conflicts are Problem-solving opportunities Put your feelings in a safe place –choose to be calm, centered Listen to understand/ ask questions Use body language to reinforce your message Acknowledge feelings Find common ground (interests) Work toward a joint plan Sometimes all people need is “I’m sorry …….”
Participation Ownership Trust Process Recognition Fairness Dignity Feelings Resources, time, safety INTERESTS Motivating Need
+ It’s all about attitude…… If there is one secret of success it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from their angle as well as your own. (Henry Ford) Avoid direct confrontations: begin in a friendly way, smile, be a good listener, never say to them ‘you’re wrong’, be open to dialogue. (Dale Carnegie)
+ Teaching/ Conflict/ Professional Life Attitude is everything Conflict is a natural part of living Historical conflicts are alive here and now Systems shape your identity How you treat others The Caring Classroom Professional Conflict Opportunities
+ Why Foundations of Education Philosophy History Social Structures Cultural foundations
+ Foundations of Education Contemporary, contentious issues today connect directly to issues studied in the foundation disciplines Teaching is a moral act: envisions for others what would be beneficial for them to know or be like Teaching involves a power relationship Teaching deals with diversity on every level Thinking deeply about broad questions; making decisions about what, when, how. Moral and social aims : respect, responsibility Values of a democratic society: equality, justice, freedom
+ Foundations: a frame of reference how to divide your time how to engage your classroom in contentious issues Develop a professional identity, your philosophy Understand students, the human condition Social, psychological issue of conflict Exercise sensitive judgment among competing educational values, beliefs
+ Canadian History shapes the nature of conflicts today English and FrenchProtestant and Catholic Human Rights/ equity/ policiesFirst Nations & Metis Political partiesUrban vs rural Democratic processesImmigration Human rights equityPublicly Funded Education Language RightsEducational Practice Preserving Cultural/HeritagePhilosophy of Education
+ Systems Shape Our Identity Generations of belief systems, attitudes, structures Beliefs based on race, ethnicity, communication styles, geography, profession, occupation, wealth, poverty, family conflict, privilege Our assumptions about others are based upon those beliefs
+ Approaches to Solving Problems Court system; legislature, legal system, voting, collective bargaining, debates….war Competition for limited resources Solutions imposed Information is power Win/lose; lose/lose; hard on relationships Mediation, facilitation, alternate dispute resolution; interest based bargaining; consensus Resources seen as part of the problem-solving process Solutions bring satisfaction Information shared Win/Win; Hard on the problem; Preserves relationships; satisfaction AdversarialCollaborative
+ Adversarial Collaborative Perfection vs Discovery Doing it a certain way Based on being right Failure – bad, wrong, instills a fear of failure Don’t take risks Control/ power Frustration/anxiety Judgment of self and others Work and struggle Inquiry and creativity Based on what is Failure – opportunity for greater experience/awareness Willing to take risks- possibilities Spontaneity; share power Fascination and enjoyment Appreciation of self/others Play
FROM A B TO A + B problem
+ Take the higher ground: Move from a point of view to a viewing point Choose Cocreation –energy of differences produces new ideas Perceive differences in personality and abilities as gifts/pieces of a magnificent puzzle Shift judgement to curiosity
+ Listening Questioning Gather information Help develop solutions Let them know they were heard Understand details of what they need and want Could you tell me more about Why is it important to…. How would you see that working out….. How can we work together…..
+ WINE COUNTRY Form Quads – work in pairs 2-Queen City Labs 2- La Belle Labs Read background Negotiate the best deal
+ Professional Opportunities for dealing with Conflict Parents Extended families Colleagues Professional organizations Collective bargaining School staffs Students _________________ Instructional decisions Curriculum decisions Assessment decisions Student engagement In-depth learning vs coverage Evaluation decisions
+ A caring classroom Take the time to set up your classroom as a safe place Talk personally with each student Group development Norms: how we treat each other Respect for differences Problem-solving Processes Common Goals/ procedures Group Work
+ A caring classroom is where children ………. Learn about their own culture Learn about other cultures Be a responsible part of the classroom group Be able to talk respectfully about differences Be able to use processes to deal with interpersonal conflicts playground conflict managers (elementary) conflict resolution facilitation (high school)
+ Success looks like.. Students accepting responsibility for the quality of classroom life Students participating in discussions Students engaged in learning – seeing themselves as successful learners
Your attitude about Conflict Determines your ability to Use it as an opportunity or as A situation to be avoided
+ What will you bring to teaching….. Knowledge of self How you are perceived Unpack your assumptions Lifelong learner…….professional development Find your strengths Center yourself – loving yourself Deal with stress
+ It is not whether you have conflict in your life. It’s what you do with that conflict that makes a difference