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Date: 10/29/2006 8:59:00 AM
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Author:
Kristine
(ssnydremarks@aol.com)
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Subject:New Director
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Hello all, a quick intro to myself. I have been in child care for 13 years now, as a teacher of all ages, mostly preK. The last year I have been an assistant director of a large center, capacity of 162. I am not a confrontational person, don't expect anyone to work any harder than I do (I do work pretty hard and care about my job very much) The last few weeks I have been trying to find out what I can do to make changes within me to get highter quality of work form my teachers. They are mostly younger and inexperienced. So, now that I have discovered these new tools through research and classes, how do I implement them at work? Just dive in? Talk to each teacher individually?? Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
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Date: 10/30/2006 8:36:00 AM
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Author:
Barbara
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Subject:Hi Kristine, Sometimes you need to gent...
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Hi Kristine,
Sometimes you need to gently nudge staff in the direction you want them to go. Talk to key people, expressing your ideas and goals to get feedback from them. Once you have planted the seed of your ideas, it will start them thinking about them and soon they will become their ideas! We were having difficulties in our school age program with the schedule that was established by the staff. It was not what I wanted, nor did I think it would work. So after several weeks of hearing staff complain, I again mentioned my idea. They found that their way was not working and changed to my way. Since it was their idea to change, they bought into it much quicker. Our afterschool program is doing quite well now.
I hope this helps a little. It worked for us.
Barbara
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Date: 10/30/2006 1:44:00 PM
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Author:
Kristine
(ssnydremarks@aol.com)
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Subject:new director
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Thanks Barbara. I need to change my approach and body language. I tell staff the same thing over and over. We were so short staffed for a while I was so worried someone would walk out. Granted, these were never child safety issues, that I would not put up with, but just little things to improve our program. I just need to work on MY communication skills with them. I guess I just worry about going in with this new way of doing things and just jumping in, which is what I need to do. I like your idea, and without the "I told you so" at the end...lol
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Date: 10/30/2006 2:41:00 PM
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Author:
Barbara
(cocalicocare@dejazzd.com)
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Subject:"I told you so" never works...with staff...
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"I told you so" never works...with staff, children or husbands! I've been in this position almost 7 years and I'm still working on my communication skills. Every day in this position is different. You never know what kids, staff or parents will say or do.
How is Bry doing? I'll be in the hospital in November!
Barbara
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Date: 11/1/2006 7:40:00 PM
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Author:
Kristine
(ssnydremarks@aol.com)
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Subject:this and that
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Bry is doing great! She is down to one crutch for most of the day, and without any for a few minutes a day. Trick or treating (yes she still goes at 15 lol) really got her out moving, she is a candyaholic so it was really mnotivating for her. Oh, I hope all is well with you! Plan on many extra days after your stay, you DO NOT get any sleep in the hospital, I have never been so exhausted as I was after coming home with Bry.
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Date: 11/2/2006 9:27:00 AM
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Author:
Barbara
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Subject:Ill be in the hospital for at least 5 da...
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I'll be in the hospital for at least 5 days, then 4 weeks or more at home. I hope the center can survive without me!
I have an excellent administrative assistant and staff and a church member who has offered to do the financial stuff. I'm sure staff would not be amused going for 4 or 6 weeks without a paycheck! I'm hoping to get in for the first payday in December, just long enough to get the bank deposit pay bills and do checks.
How are things going with your staff? Are you getting them to do things your way? It is very difficult being in the position of director. If things go right, the staff gets the praise, but if things go wrong, we end up taking the blame.
Barbara
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Date: 11/3/2006 5:09:00 PM
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Author:
Kristine
(ssnydremarks@aol.com)
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Subject:I hope the center can survive without me...
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I hope the center can survive without me!
LOL...I always think that when I'm gone...and ya know what, they do just fine every time...well, most of the time...there always seems to be something I forget to tell them, and then I'm calling and calling to relay the info..lol. And boy, is that the truth if something goes wrong we hear about it.
While my director was gone, we lost half our infant room due to finances or moving. I got "it" for that and then when my director came back she registered four new infants in one day...geez, did I look bad. blah
I hope all goes well for you. While I'd like to say, enjoy the time off, I'm sure it won't be much fun.
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Date: 10/31/2006 4:10:00 PM
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Author:
Carrie McIntosh
(carrie@weeblessings.net)
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Subject:New Director
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Hi Kristine,
The best way to make a HUGE difference in ther performance of a newer/younger group is to pair them up with a more expirenced teacher (mentoring). If they are willing and eager to learn, it will take off!
Also, I've put together a training program (but for home day cares) I think that the same theory would work to formally train your group of green teachers. Email me if you want to discuss my methods...
Carrie
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Date: 12/13/2006 5:54:00 PM
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Author:
jk
(jkletzker@hotmail.com)
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Subject:new director
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Dear Kristine- been there, done that. Take it SLOW. One teacher, one idea, one situation at a time. Rome wasn't built in a day. ALso, bring in or send the staff to in-services so they hear your message from someone else - then it doesn't become "your" way. Be patient - compliment the good you see ( just like we do with kids) and try to work with strengths. It is difficult - keep yourself together and join a director's group. Be kind to yourself. JK
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