Creating and Supporting a Positive Work Climate
48
Presented by: Allegheny Intermediate Unit (Adapted from Pattan Training Series) ”I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It is my personal approach that creates the climate.” Hiam Ginott
description
Creating and Supporting a Positive Work Climate. Presented by: Allegheny Intermediate Unit (Adapted from Pattan Training Series) ”I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It is my personal approach that creates the climate.” Hiam Ginott. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Creating and Supporting a Positive Work Climate
Presented by:Allegheny Intermediate Unit(Adapted from Pattan Training Series)
”I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It is
my personal approach that creates the climate.” Hiam Ginott
Local Policy
Your local school district, IU, preschool or employing agency’s policies regarding paraeducator job descriptions, duties, and responsibilities provide the final word!
Learner OutcomesParticipants will:
Describe characteristics of a positive work environment.
List ways individuals support and maintain a positive atmosphere in their workplace.
Learner Outcomes (cont.)Participants will:
Discuss specific ways to respond to difficult people and situations within the work setting.
IntroductionWhy a Positive Work Climate is Important
What Makes a Good DayGood Weather Starts With You!
How to Change the ClimateWith StudentsWith Other Adults in the Classroom
In the School
When a Positive Attitude Isn’t EnoughDealing with Difficult BehaviorsResolving Conflict
Why a Positive Work Climate is Important
Better place to workBetter place to be a studentBetter for the educational team
What Makes a Good Day?Think about one especially good day at work…
In a small group…Share your good day story with your
groupIdentify the characteristics that made
that a good dayHave a volunteer list your responsesShare out
Good Weather Starts With You!
Why a positive attitude is important
How to get and keep a positive attitude
Why a Positive Attitude Is Important
What is a positive attitude?Good for you
PhysicallyMentally
Good for your students
Good
Weather
Starts W
ith
You!
Why a Positive Attitude
Is ImportantWhat is a positive attitude?Good for you
PhysicallyMentally
Good for your students
Good
Weather
Starts W
ith
You!
Why a Positive Attitude
Is ImportantWhat is a positive attitude?Good for you
PhysicallyMentally
Good for your students
Good
Weather
Starts W
ith
You!
How to Get and Keep A Positive Attitude
Choose your attitudePlayFocus on the positiveMake someone’s day
Good
Weather
Starts With
You!
How to Get and Keep A Positive Attitude
Choose Your AttitudeSmileBe polite, friendly, helpfulPractice “positive self-talk”
Activity about recognizing “negative self-talk”
Good
Weather
Starts With
You!
How to Get and Keep A Positive Attitude
Choose Your AttitudeSmileBe polite, friendly, helpfulPractice “positive self-talk”
Activity about recognizing “negative self-talk”
Good
Weather
Starts With
You!
How to Get and Keep A Positive Attitude (cont.)
PlaySee the humorLaughPlan for funReward yourself
Turn to a neighbor and think of three ways to make your workplace more fun.
Good
Weather
Starts With
You!
How to Get and Keep A Positive Attitude (cont.)
Be focused on the positive
Keep a record of positive thingsShare positive thoughtsChange your vocabularySTOP negative thoughts
Good
Weather
Starts With
You!
How to Get and Keep A Positive Attitude (cont.)
Make Someone’s Day!Another adult at schoolA student
Turn to a neighbor and think of three ways you can improve the day of someone you work with and three ways you can “make the day” for a student.
Good
Weather
Starts With
You!
How to Get and Keep A Positive Attitude (cont.)
Make Someone’s Day!Another adult at schoolA student
Turn to a neighbor and think of three ways you can improve the day of someone you work with and three ways you can “make the day” for a student.
Good
Weather
Starts With
You!
How to Change the Workplace Climate
With StudentsWith Other Adults in the Classroom
In the Entire School
With StudentsTreat students with respectLook for opportunities to praise studentsTurn a negative into a positiveMake their day
How to
Change the
Climate
With StudentsTreat students with respectLook for opportunities to praise studentsTurn a negative into a positiveMake their day
How to
Change the
Climate
With Students (cont.)How to
Change the
Climate
•Respond to negative student behaviors in a professional manner
•Don’t take it personally•View as a teaching
opportunity
With Students (cont.)How to
Change the
Climate
•Respond to negative student behaviors in a professional manner
•Don’t take it personally•View as a teaching
opportunity
With Students (cont.)
Avoid Management TrapsPassionate disciplinePreachingQuestioning
How to
Change the
Climate
With Other Adults In the Class
Use effective communication strategies
Active listenerObjective reportingBe aware of “filters”
How to
Change the
Climate
With Other Adults In the Class
Be responsible, honest, loyal and show integrity
How to
Change the
Climate
With Other Adults In the Class
Learn to give and receive compliments
How to
Change the
Climate
With Other Adults In the Class
Learn to give and receive compliments
How to
Change the
Climate
In the Entire School
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!
Treat others with respectRecognize the levels of authority and sphere of influence
Obey school rules
How to
Change the
Climate
In the Entire School
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!
Treat others with respectRecognize the levels of authority and sphere of influence
Obey school rules
How to
Change the
Climate
When a Positive Attitude Isn’t Enough
Dealing with Negativity and Other Difficult Behaviors
Resolving Conflicts
Dealing with Negativity and Other Difficult Behaviors
Physical
Symptoms
Feel like
quitting
Want revenge
Can’t function
Make mistakes
Short-tempered
IrritableHold back ideas
Is it getting to you?
When a Positive
Attitude Isn
’t
Enough
Dealing with Negativity and Other Difficult Behaviors
What you can do about negativity
Get specificLet it goChoose to be positive
When a Positive
Attitude Isn
’t
Enough
Dealing with Negativity and Other Difficult Behaviors
What you can do about verbal assault
Silent refocusCaring comebackWrite it down
When a Positive
Attitude Isn
’t
Enough
Resolving ConflictsHow do you respond to conflict?
Think of your work setting and people with whom you occasionally may have conflict
Place a check in the box next to each statement on the form that best describes how you respond when conflicts arise
When a Positive
Attitude Isn
’t
Enough
Resolving Conflicts (cont.)
Use “I” messagesthe feelingthe situation the reason
“I feel__________when________ because____________.”
When a Positive
Attitude Isn
’t
Enough
Resolving Conflicts (cont.)
With Adults
Find a good time to talkListen carefully, speak carefullyTake the time to get at the real problemFocus on what you can do to solve the
conflictTake action and evaluate the situation over
time
When a Positive
Attitude Isn
’t
Enough
Resolving Conflicts (cont.)
With Students
Give clear directionsDo not argue with a studentBring concerns about non-compliance to your
partner teacher or supervisor
When a Positive
Attitude Isn
’t
Enough
Resolving Conflicts (cont.)
Once an issue has been resolved
LET IT GO
And help things get back to normal
When a Positive
Attitude Isn
’t
Enough
Resources and ReferencesLundin, S., Paul, H. & Christensen, J. Fish: A
Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results. New York: Hyperion, 2000.
Project Para. University of Nevada Las Vegas:http://para.unl.edu
Sprick, R. Garrison, M. & Howard, L. ParaPro: Supporting the Instructional Process. Longmont, CO: Sopris West, 2000.
Learner OutcomesParticipants will:Describe characteristics of a positive work environment.
List ways individuals support and maintain a positive atmosphere in their work.
Learner Outcomes (cont.)
Participants will:
Discuss specific ways to respond to difficult people and situations within the work setting.
