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The Politics of Teaching

The Politics of Teaching. “The social order is a sacred right which serves as a basis for all other rights. And as it is not a natural right, it must be one founded on covenants” -Rousseau. Cultures of Teaching.

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The Politics of Teaching

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  1. The Politics of Teaching “The social order is a sacred right which serves as a basis for all other rights. And as it is not a natural right, it must be one founded on covenants” -Rousseau

  2. Cultures of Teaching • Through culture codes teachers learn how power & status are both distributed and achieved • Usually learn these codes by observing & gauging the reactions of students, colleagues, administrators, etc. • Use biography (teaching philosophy)

  3. Culture Conflict • Can resist & change codes as experience increases & discover which codes are working against goals as a teacher • How is the leadership and culture codes in your school? -Supportive? Empowering? or -Top down management/controlling *if you have conflict between your codes and w/ school codes-keep it away from the students

  4. Politics of a Profession • Dress… What is appropriate? • Suitable topics of conversation? • Acceptable classroom practices? • Importance of interaction w/ peers? • Value of in-service activities? • Perspectives for guiding decision-making? • (Lawson, 1989)

  5. Confidentiality • Maintain trust with your students • Don’t break this rule it will come back to haunt you! • Collaborate with colleagues only if you know you can trust them to maintain that confidentiality

  6. Classroom Politics • Establishing Order • Quickly establish routines that regulate daily life in the classroom • Entering & exiting the classroom • Securing equipment • Starting & stopping activities (ATTN. GETTER) • Forming groups *Lack of workable routines finds novice teachers burdened with heavy classroom demands that are ultimately crushing *Look to colleagues for help here…

  7. Class Management • Primary classroom responsibility • Success or failure in early years resides here • Greatest level of success and recognition a teacher can expect comes from management skills • Establish yourself as the authority figure (“Don’t smile until X-mas”)

  8. Catch-22 • Controlling & disciplining students does not bring teachers much personal satisfaction • Not the reason you became a teacher • Forging meaningful relationships is much more rewarding • Teachers measure success in terms of student success, not student compliance with rules and obedience of teacher demands

  9. What Role Will You Play? • Instructor • Counselor • Social Worker • Friend • Surrogate Parent • Spiritual Advisor • Legal Advisor • Role Model

  10. Bottom-Line • Priority of management in the political mix of the classroom have the potential side effect of marginalizing subject matter • Classroom responsibilities may have less to do with teaching and more to do with keeping students controlled • Especially in the public schools

  11. School Politics • Skillfully undertake duties in the institution! • Committee work • Establish yourself as a respected, influential school member • Select these carefully-only where you can actually offer something • Be seen in school functions • Gives great visibility you cannot get in a normal daily course of duties

  12. Staff Members • Staff members transmit subtle and not-so-subtle messages that convey the importance of the teacher in the political dynamics of the school • Treat them well • They are the “eyes and ears of the school”

  13. Uncaring Colleagues (Burnout) • Finding effective and mutually satisfying ways to work with (or around) these kinds of colleagues is an important consideration • Characterization of collegial relationships as “supportive but independent” is consistent in the research findings • (Zeichner, Tabachnick, & Densmore 1987)

  14. Value of PE Subject Matter • The way teachers perceive their subjects and convey those perceptions influence how others perceive the subjects… • Are your PE programs marginalized? • Students pick up on these neglected elements and act accordingly • Uphill battle to convey significance of PE • Well taught programs by dedicated & talented teachers find appreciation by students, school, and community- & do exist!

  15. Teacher/Coach Role Conflict • Coaching a team is full time job by itself! • Places considerable stress: • Personal relationships • Family & friends • Consider time demands and strain! • Pressures to win • Pressures to produce successful athletes • PE instruction usually suffers as result

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