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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.
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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 Outcomes Participants 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.
Introduction Why a Positive Work Climate is Important What Makes a Good Day Good Weather Starts With You! Agenda
How to Change the Climate With Students With Other Adults in the Classroom In the School Agenda (cont.)
When a Positive Attitude Isn’t Enough Dealing with Difficult Behaviors Resolving Conflict Agenda (cont.)
Why a Positive Work Climate is Important • Better place to work • Better place to be a student • Better 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 group • Identify the characteristics that made that a good day • Have a volunteer list your responses • Share out
Good Weather Starts With You! • Why a positive attitude is important • How to get and keep a positive attitude
Good Weather Starts With You! Why a Positive Attitude Is Important • What is a positive attitude? • Good for you • Physically • Mentally • Good for your students
Good Weather Starts With You! Why a Positive Attitude Is Important • What is a positive attitude? • Good for you • Physically • Mentally • Good for your students
Good Weather Starts With You! Why a Positive Attitude Is Important • What is a positive attitude? • Good for you • Physically • Mentally • Good for your students
Good Weather Starts With You! How to Get and Keep A Positive Attitude • Choose your attitude • Play • Focus on the positive • Make someone’s day
Good Weather Starts With You! How to Get and Keep A Positive Attitude • Choose Your Attitude • Smile • Be polite, friendly, helpful • Practice “positive self-talk” Activity about recognizing “negative self-talk”
Good Weather Starts With You! How to Get and Keep A Positive Attitude • Choose Your Attitude • Smile • Be polite, friendly, helpful • Practice “positive self-talk” Activity about recognizing “negative self-talk”
Good Weather Starts With You! How to Get and Keep A Positive Attitude (cont.) • Play • See the humor • Laugh • Plan for fun • Reward 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 things • Share positive thoughts • Change your vocabulary • STOP negative thoughts
Good Weather Starts With You! How to Get and Keep A Positive Attitude (cont.) Make Someone’s Day! • Another adult at school • A 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 school • A 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.
How to Change the Workplace Climate • With Students • With Other Adults in the Classroom • In the Entire School
How to Change the Climate With Students • Treat students with respect • Look for opportunities to praise students • Turn a negative into a positive • Make their day
How to Change the Climate With Students • Treat students with respect • Look for opportunities to praise students • Turn a negative into a positive • Make their day
How to Change the Climate With Students (cont.) • Respond to negative student behaviors in a professional manner • Don’t take it personally • View as a teaching opportunity
How to Change the Climate With Students (cont.) • Respond to negative student behaviors in a professional manner • Don’t take it personally • View as a teaching opportunity
How to Change the Climate With Students (cont.) Avoid Management Traps • Passionate discipline • Preaching • Questioning
How to Change the Climate With Other Adults In the Class Use effective communication strategies • Active listener • Objective reporting • Be 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 respect • Recognize 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 respect • Recognize the levels of authority and sphere of influence • Obey school rules
When a Positive Attitude Isn’t Enough • Dealing with Negativity and Other Difficult Behaviors • Resolving Conflicts
When a Positive Attitude Isn’t Enough Dealing with Negativity and Other Difficult Behaviors Is it getting to you? Physical Symptoms Can’t function Short-tempered Want revenge Make mistakes Feel like quitting Hold back ideas Irritable
When a Positive Attitude Isn’t Enough Dealing with Negativity and Other Difficult Behaviors What you can do about negativity • Get specific • Let it go • Choose 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 refocus • Caring comeback • Write it down
When a Positive Attitude Isn’t Enough Resolving Conflicts How 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” messages • the feeling • the situation • the reason “I feel__________when________ because____________.”
When a Positive Attitude Isn’t Enough Resolving Conflicts (cont.) With Adults • Find a good time to talk • Listen carefully, speak carefully • Take the time to get at the real problem • Focus on what you can do to solve the conflict • Take action and evaluate the situation over time
When a Positive Attitude Isn’t Enough Resolving Conflicts (cont.) With Students • Give clear directions • Do not argue with a student • Bring 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
Resources and References • Lundin, 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 Outcomes Participants 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.
Questions para@pattan.net