JayChesser

     The last IT is called Coach IT.  Coaching may be the hardest part.  Coaching requires everyone involved to be open and objective.  It is probably harder on the "old-timers" because those individuals are so into the routine of things that they can not sometimes see new possibilities.  The mindset of having someone else younger and possibly newer to the organization telling the "old-timers"  ways to improve, tends to build resentment instead of improvement. 

     New comers usually welcome the help offered by others.  This allows them to "fit in" better with the work crowd.  It makes the transition from one job to another job a lot easier. 

      Probably the hardest part of coaching in general would be keeping things on a positive note.  How you say something is everything!  If the person providing the coaching is negative or threatening in any way,  the advice will fall on deaf ears.  With all of the stress that teachers are under on a daily basis, being positive is sometimes the hardest thing in the world for me.  If I can't coach in a positive manner, I shouldn't be coaching someone else. 

     In order for us to find our vision, we must learn to communicate openly.  Open communication is not judgemental or critical.  It listens to the other party involved and acts on the conversation.  Tako overheard Rhonda state that she would die for a Diet Dr. Pepper.  He went out of his way to get her the Diet Dr. Pepper for her.  That is customer service!  We too must learn to listen to those around us - thus our vision.  By listening to our students, colleagues, and administration, we may find our IT in our work place.  In some ways it is like serving others.  No one knows what our students much less ourselves go through in a given day, week, or month.  The only ray of hope may be in our actions/reactions.  Hopefully if a number of people step forward to find IT and live IT, it will work its way back around.  Open communication should be key in our schools from the top administrative position to the students.  We have got to work together and talk about IT!

     This book centers around Rhonda, a new manager, that has seen changes within her place of employment.  The workplace has been recognized as an example for other departments to follow.  Rhonda soon finds that the everyday stresses of life and work are taking a toll on her otherwise top-notched employees.  She seeks help in finding a way to keep the momentum going.

     I can see East Central in this book.  This year has been exceptionally difficult for third grade teachers.  It is one thing to deal with the kids and all the problems that they come to school with.  When you have all the other stresses in addition to the kids, it becomes overwhelming really quick!  We have had 1.) math workshops, 2.) reading workshops, 3.) GPS training in science while others are beating the death out of English/Language Arts, 4.) two sets of standardized testing with the CRCT requiring a passing score in order to go to the fourth grade, 5.) some parents and students that  act like they do not care grades or passing the test, 6.) breaking down test material in all subjects as simply as you can and still getting Fs, 7.) teachers disregarding rules like no sugary drinks back in the classroom, quiet in the halls, and playground rules while your class questions why no one else has to follow the rules, 8.) extra work handed down from central office, 9.) feeling like more is demanded of you instead of accepting the fact that we are busting our butts everyday doing the best we can, and 10.) not taking into account all the home garbage we come to work with on a daily basis.  Yes, I can definitely see where Rhonda's employees are coming from.

     Do I think that it is the best situation for my kids to be in?  NO!  I have really tried each day to come into work with a positive attitude.  I pray for a positive attitude morning.  I pray for my kids,  my colleagues, Mrs. Wood, and Dr. Ware.  It is a daily struggle.  Some days I am successful, such as today.  Other days, I am wasted by the time the tardy bell rings.  I do not know how to maintain days like today where the stresses did not get to me.  I try to think about the fact that today I might have a big impact on one of my students.  I have to keep that as my focus.  I do not have the answers, but I am hoping that Ishy will be able to help us with that!