From Difficult Teachers . . . to Dynamic Teams
- Barbara L. Brock - Creighton University, USA
- Marilyn L. Grady - University of Nebraska, Lincoln, USA
Conflict Resolution for Professionals | Staff Supervision/Evaluation/Retention | Team Building
Unconstructive staff behaviours can disrupt a thriving school environment. School leaders need positive, generative communication strategies that can defuse negativity and inspire teachers to change their behaviour and become contributing members of the learning community.
From Difficult Teachers…to Dynamic Teamwork examines the underlying basis of problematic behaviours and provides proactive, proven strategies for building teamwork and a positive school culture. Leaders will discover strategies for enhancing their interpersonal skills, determining if their own behaviour is contributing to the problem, and encouraging behaviour change in teachers and staff. Based on interviews with more than 50 experienced principals, this valuable resource connects content to practice via:
- Key tools, practical resources, organizational charts, and behaviour assessment forms
- Sage advice and quotations from experienced educators
- Sample dialogues to help identify behaviour challenges
- "Take Action" sections for specific implementation strategies
Maximize the effectiveness of your staff by building a culture of shared leadership, collegiality, and teamwork.
"This is one of the most interesting books I have read to date. This book absolutely fills a void in the field: how to recognize difficult behaviors in teachers and how to reshape their behaviors to help them improve their enjoyment of school and a school’s culture."
“This book reflects a true understanding of the different personalities principals and administrators face and clearly outlines what each leader can—and should—do to establish a positive, proactive environment for their employees and the students. This is one book no administrator should be without.”
"What do you do as a principal when you encounter difficult teachers? Brock and Grady deal with this problem head-on as they identify frequently troublesome behaviors, strategies that have proven successful in dealing with problems, and suggestions to help prevent these behaviors in the first place by building a positive culture of shared leadership and teamwork."
"This should be required reading for all principals, aspiring principals, administrators, and teachers. As a principal of 28 years, I was able to identify all of the descriptors of how people function and how one could react to different styles of personal interaction. The content will resonate with principals irrespective of the type of school."
“Recently, a colleague and I attended a conference that required a lengthy drive. During the drive, I read this book out loud. We laughed, made jokes, complained, and agreed and disagreed with the authors. This entertaining book is a painless way to study a disagreeable topic. The guidance offered is easily applied to situations we face on a daily basis."