In my work we are all under a lot of pressure to maintain classroom management and to get the students to perform at grade level. Daily we are challenged emotionally and physically to maintain our professionalism and to motivate our children, although they are not interested in participating in their own learning. This, of course, is only a small portion of our student population. But day after day of behavior problems and administration continually added more tasks to your day can wear on your patience and increase your stress level.
There is a co-worker that is constantly offended by me, regardless if I have intended to insult her or not I am told that I am “mean” to her. Through this week’s lesson I have learned that I need to consider the mood that she is in when we engage in conversation. I also need to be more aware of my body and facial movements and gestures so that I do not express any gestures that may be interpreted as negative. I think that in the future I will refrain from reacting to her when she appears frustrated. I now see that perhaps she just needs to vent and hear her complaints out loud, then later we can discuss what she is upset about when she is less emotional.
I want to be the peacemaker and to help others, not be the reason that others are stressed out. I really try to do unto others, but this particular co-worker seems especially more touchy than any person I have ever encountered. I hope that what I have learned this week will help me to resolve our conflicts before they even arise.
I can totally relate to the pressures and stress that you and your co-workers feel from day to day. I can also relate to the ups and downs with co-workers. Sometimes during a hectic day it is easy to offend someone and not mean to at all. Educators have such a fast pace work environment that sometimes we forget to slow down to communicate effectively with those around us. By using the strategies learned this week, we can help to create a work environment focused on nonviolent communication.
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