Inspirers look towards motivating people, even during the worst of times. Education has been hit hard financially, while the accountability continues to climb. How do we motivate people in education? How do we prevent burnout in the workplace?
Respond to 2 people.
Responding to this issue is difficult. It is difficult to stay highly motivated when colleagues and friends are losing their teaching positions, financial support isn’t available for materials that would enhance student education, and others fear losing their positions. We are being asked to do more with less and there is a balancing act that follows. Since the economy has tanked, big businesses aren’t hiring and some folks are turning to education, but I’m not sure that is good. Yes, some of the unemployed have tremendous knowledge to impart to students, but are they in education for a salary or because they truly want to teach? I think little things like thanking people, a gentle pat on the back, and sincere appreciation are what we can receive from supervisors is all that is available to us right now. I also know that salary is not what got me into education, nor is it what keeps me in education. I enjoy teaching because of the relationships I get to forge with students. Seeing students be successful is the most rewarding experience there is. I still cannot imagine doing any other type of work – even after all these years.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about being in education not for the salary, but the relationship with kids. I love running into kids that I taught in Dodge or Ness City or even Leoti and they remember me and for the most part, I recall them and it's a cool feeling to be told that they remember when "this" happened. I don't think I could do anything else either. Each day bring such a new challenge that a desk job in a cubicle would totally suck!
DeleteI agree with you Jerrie. Forging relationships with our students is one of the best parts of being a teacher. Nothing feels better than to have a former student tell you that you made a difference in their lives. It is also great to watch them walk across the stage at graduation!
DeleteI agree with all of you on the reason of being in teaching isn't for the salary but for the relationship with the kids. I am continually reminded of this fact daily. Not to brag, but I have the most adorable students! When you hit a lull in a day, they are what keep you going.
DeleteIn any aspect of life, it is important to keep up morale. If a person feels valued they tend to put more effort into a job well done. With my paras, I try to do little things here and there to inspire them and let them know they are appreciated. They work very hard for little pay and need a little encouragement now and then. I like to leave them little notes telling them what they are doing well and how much I appreciate them. Or I leave them little treats such as fun sized candy bars or a cookie. Burnout is far less likely when you feel respected and appreciated by co-workers.
ReplyDeleteI do the same things with my paras. They do a huge job for a little pay. I always try to make them feel valued and be positive. In addition, I do not make them feel guilty if they are gone for family. My motto is always that family comes first.
DeleteI need to show my para more appreciation for the hard work she does. I don't do this often enough. We do expect a lot from them for little pay. I also don't make her feel guilty for taking off work for family.
DeleteI agree with what you said about appreciation. I try to do little things too. Even sending an email letting others know they are appreciated is motivating.
DeleteYeah! I finally have completed a blog that is not late!
ReplyDeleteChapter eight
The sentence “In a world where fewer and fewer people walk their talk” (Craddick, p. 137), may elicit fear in all of us. We can’t let this dictate our lives or let it cause us to lose our passion for our jobs as educators. When there is scandal, problems, and failures in education, it seems to resonate over and over and causes us to be fearful and become discouraged. The media, our superiors, community member, etc. make this financial crisis seem like it is an end to good education, when this is simply not true. We know from past experiences that education is never at the top financially, but we still have school every year starting in August ending in May (dependent on where you live). Yes, jobs have been cut in education, but I haven’t seen any cuts that didn’t need to be cut. Putting things in perspective can help motivate people. Do not get caught up in all the negativity that feeds the fear in all of us. A psychologist gave me the book that Craddick mentions-Get Out of my Life, but first could you drive me and Cheryl to the Mall? I got the book in 1991 when my daughter was 14 and she is 33 now. I really needed the book when she was four. (There is an updated version I added to my parent collection in my office-checked it out to a parent-never got it back-or I would offer to loan it out). Anyway, it does explain how creating fear can breed anger and resentment. It helps to understand how fear can intimidate and cause the intimated to lose confidence in themselves. As I stated earlier, put things in perspective and don’t let fear overtake your professional life.
I think you are totally right and I can see this fact in my building. Many teachers are afraid of loosing their jobs because of not getting the students to perform at the levels that the government believes the students are able to. This fear develops into severe negativity, which makes the environment for the students very difficult to perform in. I also loved this line in the book because it is a great reminder to live by what we say.
DeleteFear is a great thief of joy and time. I agree that focusing on the positive is much more productive - and most of the things we fear, never occur.
DeleteI think this can be hard to do sometimes. I think has educators it is hard to see funding getting cut and colleagues loosing their jobs. Education is very important, but with all the budget cuts happening it does not seem that way. Teachers are expected and held accountable for each student but lack the resources to do it. I think the only thing we can do to motivate people is to work together and share resources. Give each other encouragement for the things we do. Compliments do go a long way not matter what it is. As educators I think just having a job should make us motivated and not burn out. Every year more and more teachers loose our job and I am just thankful that I have my job and that makes me motivated.
ReplyDeletedclodfelter- I like your post. I really think that if you show people that you respect them and show them appreciation you will get more out of them. I probably should do more of this.
Jerrie- I thought your post was spot on. I also enjoying teaching and sure did not get into teaching for the salary. I just think people need to feel appreciated and if they feel appreciated you get more success. I think some people think that you have to go all out to show someone thank you, but it is the little things.
There is a comment in Chapter 8 that really resonates with me. "People don't remember what you say, they remember how they feel about what you say." I really think that the emotional aspect of communication is so important. Its not so much what you say as how you say it. Take sarcasm for example. I know people who are masters of sarcasm and use it as a weapon. Tone of voice, body language and facial expression so often mean so much more than the words. Giving a child praise and encouragement mean very little to the child unless they feel that the praise is sincere and that you really mean it.
ReplyDeleteI have also seen people pay "lip-serivce" to ideas and convictions but until it is tied to action and people truly believe you mean what you say it goes no-where.
The state of the economy in general is in such a downtrodden state that it is often hard to be "up" about going to work. It is hard to be positive when it seems like everything else around you has some much negative in it. Trying to keep people motivated is hard. As an administrator recruitment and retention is very much a day to day issue. How to get the very best of teachers and then how do you keep them? Its a good thing so many teachers believe in instrinsic validation because there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of extrinsic validation in teaching.
When sarcasm is used to totally belittle a person, it is something people never forget. My sophomore English teacher ( who is now my son's Sr. English teacher) was so mean and cruel when I was in his class, it still bothers me to this day and I can't stand to be around that man!!! I have a student right now that I believe has so many trust issues with everyone in authority, that no matter what I say or do, he will not listen to praise so i have to be very careful in what praise I do give him. Words can be so hurtful even when said in a jest.
DeleteYou bet we teachers have to be intrinsically motivated because when I hear of peers who have less education than I do making 2-5 times as much a year in their jobs, it is really hard to take. And I'm so concerned if districts decide on merit pay for the test scores because each of us sped teachers will be left out because if our students could score well on their grade level tests, they wouldn't be our students!!! just a "good job" from administrators is so nice to hear.
I agree with you about the emotional aspect of communication. Just saying the words isn't enough. Kids are great at perceiving whether or not we mean what we say.
DeleteMotivation is about focus. If your focus is helping children, helping their families, and helping education fulfill its promise to society, we have the greatest job in the world. Money or, more importantly, what it means to our families is important, but if your focus is money, it will be harder to stay motivated in education. We each have those go-to people who lift our day or those go-to ideas that help us stay focused on what's important. Are we a "the glass is full" or "the glass is empty person?" The choice is up to us. We can voice our appreciation or do something nice for those we work with. We can keep our ears to the ground to know when our colleagues need encouragement and go the extra mile. In the end, happiness is a state of mind, not a state of the economy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marcy that the details of what was said will be forgotten long before we forget how we felt in situations. Communicating that you care about those around you can work miracles. I also agree with LeNnis that fear can affect our level of confidence. If we focus on the positives that each of us brings to the table, the problems we face can become opportunities to be overcome.
I like your statement about happiness. It's a state of mind, not a state of the economy. This is very true in all aspects of life-work, home, and family. A person who is optimistic and happy most of the time may not need a pat on the back or extra motivation for their jobs if they always look on the bright side-at least they have a job!
DeleteI too like your statement about happiness. I worked for an administrator that was a "glass half empty" guy and he was not fun to be around. He prided himself on being a pessimist and vocalizing that view point frequently was not encouraging. It seemed that he enjoyed coming into the workroom at lunch and "raining on someones parade".
DeleteEven optimistic people enjoy an encouraging word.
~~Jerrie- I agree, it is hard to stay motivated when we hear all about how teachers have it so easy and we stay underpaid and under appreciated. I don't know many other professions that require 5 to 6 years of college and yet pay less than $50,000 per year. I just stay focused on the reason I chose education- The KId- It's all the motivation I need.
ReplyDelete~~LeNis-- I think that we need to concentrate on our own actions and be sure that we are right with ourselves. Life will go on. It will hold good and bad. All we can do is deal with it as it comes.
Like a couple others have mentioned, I thought this was a pretty difficulty question to answer. Education doesn’t have a lot of the perks that other professions do, yet it doesn’t seem like there’s ever a shortage of people willing to enter the field. I believe it takes a special person to enter into this line of work and then proceed to commit his/her life to it. I think the biggest factors that keep these types of people motivated are the joy and fulfillment they receive from seeing their students’ progress and also realizing the part they’ve played in helping their kiddos to succeed.
ReplyDeleteI think methods for preventing burnout in the workplace probably look different to every person. For me, it was learning to separate work and home. I still don’t do the BEST job at this, but I think I’ve definitely improved, and I can tell it’s really made a difference in my attitude outside of school.
Jerrie~
Reading your post reminded me exactly of my best friend who’s a teacher. Whenever I talk to her, it seems like she has everything going against her (Regarding such things as no financial support, fear of losing her position, lack of resources, etc.), but she is still IN LOVE with her job because she truly wants, eats, breathes, lives to teach. She’s such an inspiration to me, and I wish every single person involved in education could have her same attitude.
Dclodfelter~
I LOVE your outlook on education! (i.e. “I just stay focused on the reason I chose education- The Kid- It’s all the motivation I need.”) I think if people get into this for any other reason (Ex: the money), they are out of their minds and need to jump ship. When this is the case, I think it’s probably only going to end in them, and possibly their students and coworkers, being miserable. And to me, being miserable is the furthest thing from what giving or gaining an education represents.
Motivating people to stay/start in education is a difficult thing to do. One thing I think is important is to have a strong support group-like our groups we have at HPEC. Getting together to know that we are all going through the same types of situations, helps to know that we aren't out there alone. Having someone in the same "boat" can be helpful to bounce ideas off and keep focused on what our job is and to keep plugging away. I didn't get into teaching because of the pay-I decided teaching to be my professional because of my love for children-especially the little ones.
ReplyDeleteAlan-I agree the satisfaction of helping children and/or families is very rewarding-to me that is worth a million dollars. I also feel when kids in HS still recognize me and acknowledge me even though I taught them in preschool is also very rewarding.
dclodfelter-showing appreciation to my para is something I need to do more of. I know I always appreciate a "pat on the back" every so often-I need to do more of that with my para and other teachers I work closely with.
Motivating people to stay in a job that can be very trying at times and tends to have a high burn out rate is difficult but what it boils down to is having a good circle of peers/co-workers that you can confide in and who support you and help you through those difficult times. Having a back up system is a must and it must consist of people you can grow to trust and who are positive and motivating themselves. Sometimes it is just being able to call that person and have them reassure you that what you are doing is the right thing or that they have your back and are willing to help out. TEAM WORK!
ReplyDeleteDana I agree having the love and passion to teach children and watch them grow and be successful is what makes this profession so rewarding and motivation to come to work each day!
With finances cut to the core and more responsibility being doled out for everyone it does make paras and teachers feel unmotivated. I know I like to feel appreciated with sincere pats on the back types of gestures. I know with my paras, it is tough for them. They receive low pay with no benefits and are expected to help handle some difficult children. One of the best ways I find is to find some way(s) to compliment them on areas that they have done well either verbally or in short thank you notes. Once in a while a short lunch out together is in order and if possible I pick up the tab, otherwise it’s Dutch treat. Then on less frequent intervals I find small appropriate gifts to perk them up such as: in the fall; before spring break/Easter; before school is out; I find a small inexpensive plant, cup of candy, or other seasonal item for a fall/spring fling gift which seems to give them a lift. I think there are many ways all employers could find ways to perk up or inspire morale without breaking the bank. There are times when I think all they need is just an ear to listen to them vent or talk out frustrations in a non-threatening environment. A little empathy can go a long ways. This book study is a motivator as we receive the small stipend, we gets to interact with some of our peers, and it is empowering us to become better at understanding our colleagues as well.
ReplyDeleteJerrie- It is difficult when you see fellow teachers loosing their jobs. It makes the whole faculty feel helpless and hopeless for a long time. It takes time to remember that we didn’t enter this profession expecting to become rich and famous but willing to help students become better people.
dclodfelter- I agree that co-workers have a big impact on the morale in the workplace. I think we all probably need to work a little harder trying to lift each others spirits and morale.
As mentioned in previous posts, it is hard to motivate people when the economy has been so bad. A couple a years ago it was tough not to get a raise, but I understood. Therefore, it is the small things that are going to motivate educators to stay upbeat. A pat on the back, a word of praise or sometimes a smile is enough to keep me moving forward. I have had administers in the past who are very critical or very sparing in their praise. I believe that these types of administers will have a harder time keeping people motivating if they do not know how to deal with the various types of personalities.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the information we are obtaining from this book may help us stay motivated. It will clue us in as to which part of the power grid people are coming from.
I think intrinsic factors, such as seeing students improve and progress, are a huge motivator to me, and others in education. As many have mentioned before, most professionals in education did not enter the field for the paycheck. If they did, they probably won't last long in this field! Another factor that helps decrease burnout is separating work and home life, as Brittany mentioned. This has also been a little bit of a struggle for me, but I have gotten better about it.
ReplyDeleteI cannot recall all the details, but I remember reading a study some time ago that money is not a major factor in employee satisfaction and retention. An employee needs to feel valued and respected. In addition, they need to feel their job is important and makes a difference. If these things are present, someone will often decline a higher paying job to remain in a position where they feel valued and that they make a difference. Many above have commented that is why they remain in education.
ReplyDeleteI know for me personally, I don't give my salary much thought except in August. It does sting a little when there is little or no raise, but shortly after that it is forgotten about and definitely not considered as I do my job on a daily basis.
Alan- I like your line that happiness is state of mind, not a state of the economy. It rings true, and one can decide to be happy with their current situation or complain and balk making everyone around them miserable.
blhoryna- Separating home and work is a definite must to prevent burnout. As educators that is often difficult to do, but no one can work consistently and not eventually reach the point of burnout.
Without motivation and motivators, the tendency is to get negative. I think we can motivate others by motivating ourselves and committing to say positive. Like the book says, others will see this positiveness and hopefully will be drawn to it. Some may get offended or feel threatened, but hopefully more will be uplifted and continue giving the students an excellent education. I think this thought of being positive can also help with burnout in a building. If we keep positive ourselves and look for positive, we will find it. Don't fall into negativity, but continually encourage others through verbal praise, being patient, and building others up. Always keep in mind that others may be going through stuff not known to you, so try to make their day for the better.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is a hard one. First of all you have to be passionate about kids for education to be worthwhile to you. It’s certainly not the big paycheck or climbing the corporate ladder to success. Making a little bit of difference for just one student is a huge encouragement to me. Also, having administrators that let you know they appreciate you is encouraging.
ReplyDeleteOn a practical note some school district give their employees X amount of professional days (sick and personal leave days rolled together) and then give them the courtesy of being professionals to use the days wisely as they need to. Most teachers know that it is more work to plan for being gone than it is to be there and teach.
As a teacher who works with para’s; I try to let them know that I really appreciate them.
To me the best motivation is when a student or teacher thanks me for my help. It also helps knowing that I helped some students learn to love school. In order to avoid burnout I need reinforcement from other teachers and professionals. Having help from many sources including paras, counslors, psychs, and others. Seeing the rewards for our work is sometimes the best motivation.
ReplyDeleteWell, LeNis, I'm still very late posting. I am posting after the governor's proposal on merit pay though. I heard four good teachers mention retirement that day, I even looked for the first time to see how many minimum years I had left, so this question really hits home. I know I always used to find excuses to go visit early childhood rooms when I needed a recharge. Now I have my own little ones at home to remind me why I do what I do. I think, I need to be more aware of letting those who always do well know they are appreciated.
ReplyDeleteInspirers look towards motivating people, even during the worst of times. Education has been hit hard financially, while the accountability continues to climb. How do we motivate people in education? How do we prevent burnout in the workplace?
ReplyDeleteMotivating people in the climate of education today does seem like a huge hurdle. I believe that having clear communication and opportunities for growth are keys to fostering staff motivation. It is also necessary to provide positive opportunities for student participation and motivation. Positive experiences for students often will motivate teachers.
Burnout prevention is a tough topic too. Teachers often get overloaded and become burnt out. I feel that giving teachers the gift of time is really the answer. Find opportunities for staff development and collaboration and make them happen. In our district often times our principal will do things like give us a "break ticket" where she is willing to come into our classroom and give us a short 10 minute break while she takes over our duties for that time.