The 21st Century

I chose this because we all know an “underminer” and also an “on-the-job- retiree”. An underminer is that one person who continuously expresses negativity to others but never to your face. I suspect this happens often in schools from an administrative perspective. What to do? Meet with the person, discuss concerns, REALLY listen, and do not feel the need to justify yourself and your decisions as principal. But do listen attentively- give feedback and ideas for an action plan to move forward. I also like the suggestions to use write down what you plan to say as it is important not to let emotions take control. For the on-the-job-retiree, pulling at those heartstrings of leaving a legacy is a good idea. And it’s certainly true. After dedicating that many years to education, why wouldn’t a teacher want to leave on a positive note? They key to dealing with any of these difficult situations is to be proactive in your communication with staff. Meet with staff regularly, have an open door policy, and build trust.