It is impossible to be a teacher without having flexibility. Those unable to bend are doomed to break and teachers, for sure, are no exception to this rule.
As an administrator it is equally important to value flexibility not only in the staff but also in yourself. It’s wonderful to be able to look with fresh eyes on the creative ways a good staff member will solve a problem through flexibility.
One day we decided to have a fire drill. It had been far too many winter months since the last drill and we had new staff members as well as several new children. It was time for the bell. Somewhere along the line the Assistant Director suggested that we change the fire drill to make the teachers think on their feet. And with that she made a large sign that said, “FIRE and SMOKE HERE…YOU CAN NOT PASS THROUGH”. Then clanged the bell!
Immediately the 4-year-olds walked as quietly as 4-year-olds can walk down the first set of stairs. Suddenly the footsteps are halted as the teachers read the sign. Immediately they mentally explore their options for a quick and safe escape. Immediately they begin to calmly talk to the children to bring them in on the change of plans.
They elected to cross over to the other side of the building to reach Stairway B, our second means of egress. This lets them out of the building safely in another area unfamiliar to the 4-year-olds. They listen and follow directions.
The building is cleared and attendance taken outside. The “All Safe” signal is finally called. Everyone heads back to their classroom. The 4-year-olds have an impromptu meeting to discuss what happened, how important it was to listen to the teacher, and why it’s important to remain calm and quiet. The children’s review of the “new” fire drill was “fun”.
Later the teachers talked with me and expressed their own surprise that the normal way had been “blocked”. It’s so easy to get in a rut. Initially, they admitted, they hadn’t known what to do. Then that flexibility took over and they examined the logical choices. Before the discussion was over the teachers were already wondering how to exit the building should other exits become blocked.
Flexibility in teaching has to mean flexibility in thinking. And flexibility in thinking is just what we want to encourage in our teachers and our students.
Recent Comments