How can a new director ease their transition into the school, but is confonted with challenges from left to right from the more experienced staff?

What issues are raised from each side of the triangle by this situation?

• Managing and Overseeing - 

                 Some of the teachers are not cooperating with the new director. There is some talking behind the director's back, which is not right. Problems are not being solved, so it's hard to manage the program when the staff have different ways, in some cases old ways,  of doing things in the classroom. There is no respect for the director, besides the one girl who has spoken and acknowledged the new director. This causes issues when the director clarifies professional standards and expectations, establish effective communication systems, and organizes training options and meetings.

• Coaching and Mentoring -

                The teachers of the school are not allowing themselves to use different strategies and activities in the classroom that the director is mentioning. One thing with early childhood education is that things are always changing. That is why even after getting your degree one must still go to workshops and training classes to get informed of the new ways of working in classrooms. New strategies are always coming out and teachers should be attentive to that. When the director suggested new ideas, she was let down by the teachers. This makes the teachers look very bad in my opinion, because their showing a lack of respect for their director. This interferes with the director ability to offer opportunities for self-assessment and goal setting, allow time to practice new skills and apply new understandings, nurture dispositions favorable to effective teaching, give feedback and support for growth and change, and foster mentoring relationships.

• Building and Supporting Community -

                  Even though the two teachers have worked in the program for some time, they should know that each set of children they get every year learn differently and requires them to change up their teaching strategies, activities, and environment. New insight by the director might do them some good, because it effects the children of the community when they are not receiving the teaching and curriculum that they deserve. This effects the director's ability to have acknowledgment and respect with each individual and the contributions each brings to the group, learn the family contexts and cultural frameworks that shape the individual lives in the program, help people make connections and establish bonds with one another, and link the people in your program to the wider community around them.

What strategies from each side might you use to address the issues?

• Managing and Overseeing - 

                     I think it may be hard to come into a program as a new director, especially if it's your first time in the position. If you have been a teacher in a program then you will know what a director's role should be. If you have just finished school and it's your first time in a program it may be hard at times to be acknowledged of your thoughts and opinions, but why is this? Experience and education is both important to have, but you can't gain experience if you no one will let you and you if you have experience you should have education as well. If I was the director I would keep doing my part as the director should. I would use all the three parts of the triangle and do the best that I can do. I would hold meetings regularly to talk about the new curriculum and changes I would like to see in the program. I would also want to gain advice from the more experienced staff as well. But when I would change something I would have evidence to back it up so the staff would understand why I would be changing things.

• Coaching and Mentoring -

                     As the director I think I would let the staff know that I am there for them in any way, if they needed advice or wanted to talk about certain things. I would allow them to have their opinions and take in consideration what they say and how they feel about things, but I would also want them to do the same. Showing respect for one another is something I would do, because in the end, if you are a really good director and do things the right way even when things were tough in the beginning, things will turn around for the better.

• Building and Supporting Community -

                     As the director I would hold as much workshops as I could and make some mandatory for the staff so that they are gaining new insight of early childhood education. Having resources for teachers and families will help build a better foundation of new practices or strategies for everyone part of the program. I would also hold community events to have the families become aware of the program and also to have the staff come out and get to know each other and learn about the community they work in.