Well, I finally feel like I have things more under control. I worked for several hours last Saturday and then for 12 hours on Sunday working my way around the CSU website, familiarising myself with its format and reading through Topics One and Six. Yes…… I was way behind –I was travelling for the first week of the course (I was on a train at one stage travelling through Dunbar in Scotland which I believe is where James Herring lives) and then was so jetlagged in my first week back in Singapore I just couldn’t face doing any study. Finally I managed to devote the weekend to getting up to speed. My husband was working in South Africa that weekend, my 17 year old son was studying so I had lots of free time.

I had prepared myself for what I thought would probably be very “dry” reading but actually I found the work really quite interesting. Okay – I must be completely honest here working my way through databases is not something that really appeals to me –it’s more a means to an end. However Topic 6 was great!

I loved the argument of Stephen Covey's - that the most effective people are those who practise interdependence. I’m sure we have all worked with people who are "micro managers" and won't let anyone else make a decision. I have always believed a good manager involves all members of the team in decision making whenever possible. I don’t think it’s always possible I might add. If everyone in a team debated everything all the time decision making would take up too much time. Also sometimes there are hard decisions to be made that are the responsibility of the team leader and when I say responsibility –I also mean it literally. Those big decisions need to be made by someone who is being responsible and fair.

I also take Todd Gilman's point that we "do not listen to one another." Too true. I often catch myself busily formulating a response in my mind to someone who is still speaking to me! I am turning over a new leaf! I will work hard at really listening to people's suggestions rather than preparing a speech to justify my own. It has made me think about my own classroom. I have two teaching assistants who work for me. We plan the "continuous provision" of the classroom together and share the decision making well. However, upon reflection I realise I plan all of the "next (academic) steps" for the children (and as the trained teacher the ultimate decisions are my responsibility) - but my Teacher Assistants could contribute to that as well. It is hard as a teacher I think to "let go!" This Thursday when I plan the following week's "next steps" for the children (sorry for the jargon –I work in a British school) I will involve my TAs in deciding on the next academic steps for my children and really listen to what they believe each child needs.


In the R. Sanders article on Conflict Resolution I was surprised to read that conflict can actually have positive outcomes. I was also interested to read that "negotiation requires preparation". I will, hopefully, be doing some management training next year for my new role as Teacher Librarian so I will look forward to learning more about conflict resolution. I am, however, hopeful that I have a harmonious team next year and won’t actually need to use it! One thing I will be doing though –if I do need to arrange a meeting to mediate an issue, I will be reading through those notes and making sure I am prepared.


The article on Effective Time Management for Teachers is, I think, essential reading for all teachers. I wish I had had access to it when I was training! I loved the idea of working on a project everyday from the day after you have found out about it. It stops the project from dominating your life! By taking control and chipping away at it, the problem is not really a problem at all! I have really taken this advice to heart –I have been devoting some time every day this week (except for last night when I had 12 people coming over for Bunco and didn’t have time.) I also liked the point about accepting what you have achieved and not being such a perfectionist. I tend to waste a lot of time being very fussy about what I do.
My next goal? 3 folders for my email!!

Inbox
Backlog
Action

....I feel liberated even thinking about it!!

As I said ...LOVED Topic 6 -there were so many practical suggestions in those articles. I hope all the topics are this good!