Communicating with Staff

As a teacher, it is important to create positive, professional relationships with other staff at the school, including teachers, librarians, office administration and other support staff.

Caitlin, you have identified that you have had some issues with other staff, including your supervisor and stage coordinators. In order to build these relationships, you need to interact with the staff at every opportunity and during these interactions, be positive, calm and professional.

Here are some ideas that will help you develop effective relationships with your colleagues, and in turn, assist you when you require help with students, programming or other issues that may arise.

• Interact with staff at every opportunity, including lunch and recess in the staffroom, at staff meetings and during after school activities,
• Participate in staff events and outings such as organised dinners, movie outings or happy hours.
• Always interact positively and be respectful of other staff members.
• Ensure that you take the time to get to know other staff members individually as they will be able to help you with any issues or point you in the right direction for further assistance.
• Develop positive relationships with the schools administration staff as they will be able to help you with student administration issues.
• Organise meetings with other stage teachers and the stage coordinator to plan and develop the curriculum for the year. If this is an issue, you may want to speak to your Principal and ask advice on developing professional relationships.
• Share resources with other staff and be open to receiving advice when planning and programming.

Further Reading:

Tips for Communicating with other Teachers

Bender, Y 2005, Tactful Teachers: Effective Communication with Parents, Colleagues and Administrators, Nomad Press, Chicago, IL.