TOWARS GREATER TEACHER INVOLVEMENT
Rhea Solomon Lagrisola
Teacher’s involvement in the school is not limited to classroom instruction only. For the whole school as an organization, all teachers need to be involved. Experts say that people support what they help to create. Thus, if teachers are involved in the different areas of the entire school system such as leadership, curriculum and instruction, learning environment, school-community relations, management of resources, there would be a lesser chance for the school to fail in its effort to render quality service to its customers.
Some of the ways to improve teacher involvement are: a.Holding exploration conferences
Hold exploration conferences at the beginning of the school year. Encourage teachers to discuss their plans, hopes and dreams for the year. The school head and the teachers must help one another to identify possible constraints that may obstruct the plans from becoming a reality. b.Conducting a regular “Learning Action Cell” session
At least once a week the teachers meet together to discuss and solve teaching problems encountered. Share and discuss strategies that can be adopted. c.Assigning teachers as coordinators/ chairmen in different areas Teachers should be given particular activities or areas to handle based on their skills and abilities. This will bring out their creativity which will benefit the school in the long run. d.Mentoring
Assigning a skilled/experienced teacher to guide or assist a lesser skilled teacher to develop his/her potentials. Harnessing or developing the potential of the lesser skilled teacher will be or great help to the school. e.Involving teachers in decision-making
The school head should solicit ideas or opinions of teachers. Soliciting their opinions will make them feel that they are indispensable members of the organization.
Teachers are more motivated to work for the growth of the school. f.Holding education summit
Schedule a quarterly education summit where all stake holders are invited to attend.
Problems and concerns of the school should be presented in the summit for all stakeholders to design appropriate action to address the problems.
author is Teacher II Floridablanca East District
--oOo-The at Floridablanca Elementary School,