Resistant teachers can have a profound effect on the school climate and culture in both positive and negative ways. In the book Leading in a Culture of Change (2007), Michael Fullan says resisters deserve respect both because they present ideas we might otherwise miss and because their influence is crucial to navigating the politics of implementation. By using situational leadership, the ability to fluidly interchange among a variety of leadership styles as the situation demands, administrators can shape teacher resistance into resilience and develop powerful partners in school initiatives. Goleman (2004) says situational leadership can mitigate the negative and enhance the positive forces influencing school climate. Effective school leaders know when to use a different leadership approach based on the behaviors and personalities of their teachers.
Types of Teacher Behaviors
I have found that resistant teachers usually fall into one of the following categories:
- Those who believe administration will not help or understand them.
- Those who don't have confidence in their teaching and don't know how to
3-12-14 The Whole Child Blog — Keep Students and Parents (and Teachers) Initiative Fatigue Free — Whole Child Education
Keep Students and Parents (and Teachers) Initiative Fatigue Free — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGKeep Students and Parents (and Teachers) Initiative Fatigue FreeMarch 10, 2014 by Kevin ParrLast week I entered a meeting feeling pretty good about my teaching life. I was sticking with my goals for the year, trying some new things outside my comfort zone, and achieving some success doing
