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Relationships
come first
At a time when
the schools are overwhelmed with “new
initiatives”, teachers and school
managers are weary of forever being
instructed to implement directives that
do not necessarily take into account the
needs of their own establishment. It is
therefore refreshing to discover a new
approach that gets back to basics and
examines what is at the root of good
teacher-pupil relationships. Only by
building on these relationships, and
other working relationships within the
school, can we start to improve the
general well-being of all individuals
involved and their success in achieving
their long-term aims.
Teachers and
managers in hundreds of schools around
the world are now learning Choice
Theory, to be more effective in their
role and to be able to enjoy every day
of teaching.
What are the
benefits of this approach?
When managers and
teachers begin to understand Choice
Theory, they replace a fear of losing
control with the will to empower staff
and pupils. For several decades, one
research study after another has shown
that a regime based on external control
(rewards and punishments) reduces
motivation, whereas management based on
good relationships and trust leads to
quality work and higher achievement.
Replace
Punishment with Guidance
Choice Theory
approaches do not rely on traditional
rewards and sanctions, but urge teachers
to lead by example. They are encouraged
to help pupils to work and behave not in
order to achieve a reward, but because
it feels good: feels the right thing to
do in itself.
In schools where
the internal control philosophy of
Choice Theory prevails, pupils take
responsibility for their own work not to
avoid punishment, but because they have
made the connection between hard work
and getting what they want. Property is
respected, not because pupils fear
punishment but because they are given
legitimate ways of feeling powerful and
recognised as individuals. Bullying is
rare, not because there are sanctions
laid down in a “No Bullying” policy, but
because the pupils (and teachers) do not
feel the need to bully in a school where
every individual is experiencing
personal success and fulfilment.
Apart from the
beneficial effects on behaviour,
achievement and teacher-pupil
relationships, the application of Choice
Theory by all individuals can have a
beneficial effect on the professional
working and personal relationships of
all individuals involved in the school.
This has the potential to produce a
happier school staff with lower rates of
absence and better staff retention
rates. This makes a school a happier
organisation that is easier to manage
and lead towards achievement of academic
and other long-term targets and aims.
Copyright © 2008 GR Associates. All rights reserved.
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