The first week of the school year has passed. My new staff completed their first week with their students and had the opportunity to meet the parents. I usually meet with the new staff at the end of the first week for 15 minutes to check in and ask a few questions. However, after reading John Wink’s article on “5 Alternatives to Asking New Teachers How They’re Doing” I was excited to try a different approach. While reading this article, I realized how much I related to it. He described what I normally ask my staff, whether they are old or new. “Hi how are you? Or “Hi how’s it going?” He stated that when we ask those types of questions, it does not give us any indication on how they are truly doing. So instead, he states to ask specific questions.
I typed up the questions and met with my new staff. I handed it to them and told them to answer as honest as possible.
Below is the questionnaire I gave them to answer from the article. The author listed 5 plus #doubledare one but I removed question 4 as we had an orientation survey they filled out already.
Congrats on completing your first week at AIS!!! You did an amazing job! Keep it up. 😊
- What is one thing that is really hard for you to get accomplished right now?
- What words, acronyms or catch phrases do we use in our school that you need information, clarification or explanation?
- What is one thing that is elevating your stress level right now?
- What is a support you had in your old school or that you’ve seen before that you wish we had here?
#Doubledarequestion #risktaker #feedback
- What is one thing I do or say that is really confusing you or even frustrating to you. BE HONEST PLEASE!
I was hoping and praying that the #doubledare one would be filled out as I am always looking for feedback to become a better leader. In the end none of them had any feedback on how to improve but provided me with good feedback which I did appreciate.
Over the weekend I read each questionnaire and took notes on some of the questions. Sunday morning I met with my principal to look them over and she suggested that it would be nice to email them back. I had in mind to go speak to each of them in person but I was worried that I wouldn’t have the time to get to all of them. So I took my principal’s advice and I emailed all of my new staff. I contacted the Literacy coach, curriculum director and PYP coordinator and gave them the heads up to contact these teachers with their specific questions.
In the emails I sent to my new staff, I started them all off by saying… “Good morning name, thank you so much for your feedback on Thursday. To ease your stress and confusion…” and I continued each of their emails based on their specific questions. I received so many replies saying, “WOW that was quick! Thank you so much for reading them and not tossing them away.” “Thank you for caring and getting back to us so quickly!” Those replies were the best. If we are focusing on feedback this year then the least we can do is read and respond back in any kind of situation. I was so happy that I could implement what I learned from that article and the outcome it gave me with my new staff.
Now that I took care of that and got their answers sorted out I will continue to check in on them and maybe ask those same questions after a month is completed.
What do you think? Should I?
