Professional Development Topics
By Robert Evans, Ed.D.
Getting to No: Building True Collegiality
in Schools
Despite much inspirational talk and writing about the promise of professional learning communities and critical friends groups, and of improving collaboration and accountability, these remain real challenges in many schools. A key reason is that educators are so conflict-avoidant. They are almost always congenial—cordial, friendly, caring, supportive—but rarely collegial—willing to talk frankly about their practice and their professional interactions, willing to disagree openly or to risk criticism. But the ability to talk honestly and differ constructively—about teaching and learning, performance and priorities—is vital to professional growth.
This program helps faculty address the obstacles to candid communication and problem-solving. It begins by normalizing the issue—conflict avoidance is a near-universal, understandable trait of conscientious teachers—and by looking at some of its humorous consequences, and then goes on to outline ways it inhibits learning and growth and makes it harder to meet the challenges of institutional change and of accountability, and the necessity for greater collaboration. The program teaches practical, uncomplicated steps than can make a positive difference, such as how to disagree constructively, how to avoid being triangulated by one colleague who constantly complains about another, and how to deliver—and receive—bad news.
The program is offered as a full-day or a half-day workshop and as a keynote. Both workshop formats include a mixture of presentation, large group Q & A, discussions in pairs and small groups. The full-day permits more sharing, discussion, and role-playing and practicing. Rob always likes to tailor programs to meet the specific needs and interests of a school or a district and is glad to discuss this.