As part of my assigning educators to classrooms initiative, the HOD and I would like to create an additional classroom for use by the Intermediate Phase students(4-6). The plan was to move the second grade R class into the same building as the first grade R class. Since the grade R class is small it would be able to fit in the smaller room. I presented the idea to my principal and she said no because she had separated them since they couldn't stand each other. Since they are all adults I figured there was probably something far deeper than that involved so I decided to investigate.
Yesterday I explained to both of the grade R educators that I wanted to move them into the same building in adjoining rooms. They agreed pending the installation of an outside door to the other classroom. I was ecstatic and told the principal and she said she would make the announcement today.
I wanted to confirm with the educators today that they were on board with the plan. I went to talk to one of the educators in her classroom and she said "no". So I asked her why and she said I could go ask the principal and she would tell me the reasons. Since I knew if I had a conversation with the principal about someone else's opinions they would be skewed because she would take all the points that supported her own opinion and only present those to me. So I explained that to the educator and then she told me, "No, I don't trust you because you're white and all white people live easy, problem-free, relaxing lives so they don't understand us. You're always happy and enjoying life." I explained to her that I do harbor some problems I just don't expose them to everyone, all people have problems even if you can't see them. I also explained that I am a mediator here to help the school as a whole and that I wouldn't share her problems with anyone. After a long awkward silence she decided to open up to me.
We started talking and the reason she gave me for not wanting to have the educator in the room next to her was because the other class was isiNdebele-speaking and hers was Northern Sotho-speaking and she didn't want them getting confused. I offered the point that all of the Intermediate Phase educators have rooms that are next to each other and she countered with the belief that since they were older they could cope with the distraction. I knew this wasn't the real issue so I continued to probe.
I asked her what the conflict between her and the other educator was that the principal had told me about. She said it was because having the other educator was causing her stress and anxiety. Since leaving a perfectly good room vacant that could be put to better use didn't seem like the best solution and that probably wasn't the true cause of her problems I continued. She was constantly coughing and clearing her throat and I found out she was snorting snuff (a powdered tobacco) to make her feel more relaxed and ease that pain; also not a good solution. She told me she's been seeing psychologists and taking pills for the past few years and when she's in their office is the only time she feels really comfortable and relaxed. I was starting to really doubt that having the educator in room next to her was the source of her anxiety.
I asked her what the rest of her life not related to work was like. She gave me a very detailed depressing account of her life which can be summed up as praying about her problems when she gets home, praying with church friends about other people's problems, and talking about her problems with her mother at her mother's house. I very quickly realized that all three activities entailed thinking depressing thoughts and were stress contributors. I asked her what she does for fun or relaxation and if she exercised. The only exercise she does is the short walk to work and home and that her relaxation is the praying. She has no other relaxation activities.
Since she believes in God, I explained to her that God doesn't want her to only pray to him but also to enjoy the Earth that he has provided to her. I suggested that she find something that she likes to do such as gardening and relax. She said she has a vegetable garden and likes gardening but never really thought about how much she likes it. After a little more discussion there was a consensus that her problem was the lack of something relaxing and enjoyable so she would try incorporating gardening as a relaxation method into her life. We also agreed that installing a door to the outside so that the other educator would be able to get into the other room without walking through her room would solve the major problem presented by the move.
I talked to the principal today afterwards and told her the good news. She informed me that the idea had been brought up at the faculty meeting and both spoke out adamantly against it; I was shocked! I thought yesterday there was a general understanding and agreement to the proposal. So the faculty said if the grade R educators didn't agree then it wouldn't happen; I don't disagree with their position. The educator who I talked to today was the one who spoke out against it first then the second educator, who told me she would be fine with the transition if a door to the outside was installed, also spoke out against it. I think the reason the second spoke out against it was because it seems that very few people are willing to disagree with the status quo so she just fell in line. I explained to the principal the conversation that I had with the first educator (leaving out the personal details of course)and said I would talk to the two educators to clarify what will happen and then re-present the idea to the faculty tomorrow afternoon.
I may be naive in thinking that I have discovered the educator's problem; I might have just scratched the surface to a slew of other problems she has. Either way, today was an extremely good day because I built a trusting relationship with another one of the educators. Now, regardless of the outcome of the room situation, it will be much easier to work with this educator because I have gained her trust. Lesson learned: qualifications get you the job, trust allows you to get the job done.
No comments:
Post a Comment