Conflict
Resolution
A conflict that I recently experienced regarded my
co-worker/friend. Debbie who not only is
my friend but she is also my neighbor. There
was a position available in my classroom three months before the end of the
school year. I felt that she would be
perfect for the job because she has worked as an assistant as well as a substitute
teacher within the school system. I
recommended her to my supervisor and she was hired. It was my responsibility to inform her of what
her duties would be. The first and
second week went quite well, but by the third week, I felt that she had gotten
just a little too comfortable. She began
leaving the classroom at various times without informing me, talking on her
cell phone for at least 30 minutes, not paying attention to the children, basically
just ignoring her duties. One day I met
with her after the children had left for the day and explained what I had
notice. I was very professional. Keep
in mind, I was not her supervisor but I was over her in the classroom setting
and the principle was her supervisor, the one who hired her. For the next couple of days she did pretty well
and then the next few days after that began doing what she was specifically
told not to do. I felt that I had no
other choice but to go to her supervisor, which I did. We all sat down together in a meeting to
discuss the issue at hand. Debbie
explained to her supervisor that she felt as though I approached her in a bad
manner, I was not professional, and I talked to her in front of the
children. I was absolutely shocked. I could not believe that she sat there and
dishonest like that. I gave my version
of what happened. Our supervisor told
both of us that in order to work together that we needed to be able to get
along and perform our duties as professional.
She said that we need to resolve conflicts that were having in a professional
manner. After that the meeting was
over.
Debbie and I returned back to the classroom. We had another discussion regarding this issue
and we had no more problems after this. I
realize that this incident could have gone a totally different way, but because
we looked at the big picture, and realized that we were professionals and
needed to look out for the best interest of the children, this is how we
resolved our conflict. We had to realize
that we were working with children and sometimes young children can sense when
there is tensions in their surroundings.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your story. As I read, I thought, 'Oh no, first mistake in hiring a neighbor, it would be awkward if it went south." Did Debbie ever tell you why she lied? I don't know how I would have handled that one! I cant stand be lied to or about! I am so sorry! Is it a little uncomfortable now in the neighborhood and school? You did very well.
Kesha,
ReplyDeleteThe fact that she lied would have really burned deep with me. It was good that both of you were able to resolve. I think that although the initial conversation about her actions didn't result in a permanent fix, it set the groundwork for future conversations. I know that initial conversation probably wasn't easy but had it not happened and if you had went directly to the principal it may have been a lot worse.