Isn't this job hard enough?: 10 resolutions to help us all

Ask teachers to share what one thing they would like for the non-education world to know about their jobs and they will say, "I want the non-education world to know just how hard this job is."  I couldn't agree more.  I have often said the thing that makes teaching so stressful and challenging is that it is one of a very few jobs in which we must do work in order to do our actual work (prep/grade/plan in order to actually teach), and, as you all in education know, there is very little time during the day to do that preparation.  Unlike some jobs, we can't show up, "unprepared", and be successful on a daily basis.  I remember back to when I was teaching five classes; I would constantly wake up in the middle of the night, my mind filled with questions about "did I finish that handout? did I make those copies? did I grade those papers?"  This is just one example of what makes this job so difficult.  Of course, I could go on, as you all know, for hours about all of the specific things that make this job tough; instead, I would like to focus on something that we SHOULD be able to count on to help make our jobs easier--each other!

Right or wrong, the perception is that the "real world hates teachers", that we are constantly "under attack" from school boards, politicians, tax-payers, parents, and even, sometimes, our own administration.  So, why is it that we feel the need to attack one another?  I have been in four different high schools in my career, and I have seen it in all of them, to varying degrees: teachers being judgmental/critical of their colleagues with no real reason to be so.  Before I go any further, let me say that I am all for difficult, challenging, and critical conversations between teachers in a respectful manner in order to explore philosophical differences, make meaning, and grow; in fact, I think that is one of only a few ways we do truly grow.  But what I am talking about here is that teacher or group of teachers who, with no evidence and for no reason, feel it is "their right" to be critical of their colleagues...to say negative and sometimes hurtful things about their co-workers.

I have yet to hear a teacher say that this job is easy; in fact, as I said to start this e-mail, most would argue it is beyond difficult.  So my question is: why do teachers go out of their way to add dynamics that make it even more challenging?  Imagine working in a department (or even school) in which all teachers supported one another.  Now trust me, I get it.  You get groups of people together and there will always be personalities that don't mix well; however, that is a good thing (and remember--no one is saying everyone has to be best friends).  After all, we want our students to understand the value of diverse perspectives, so why would we shy away from that in our own professional lives.  And as the old saying goes, there are many ways to skin a cat, so there are many pathways to great teaching.

 So below is my list of ten resolutions to a positive collaborative work environment.  With New Years Day coming soon, perhaps we can ALL take a few minutes, think about how we treat ALL of our coworkers, and see if we can't make a resolution (or two) that might help us take this already extremely difficult job and make it just a tad easier...

1.  Get to know someone new:  this doesn't have to be a "new teacher" per say, but make an effort to get to know a teacher in your department or school that you don't currently know or don't know well.  You will be surprised what you learn about him/her, yourself, and teaching.
2.  Reserve judgement:  I get it, as people, we inherently judge.  However, before you express said judgments, take a minute to think about what is gained by doing so.  I can tell you the answer is...NOTHING.
3.  Give:  Share your materials, your thoughts, your time, your book recommendations, and your passion with others.
4.  Take:  Be open to taking materials, thoughts, time, book recommendations, and passion when they are offered to you.  You might think you have it all down, but I promise you, others can help you regardless of where you are in your career.
5.  Be social:  I know how busy this job (and family life) makes us all, but I challenge you to give up an hour at some point to take advantage of grabbing a "refreshment" with your colleagues.  I know I do my best thinking in a dimly lit, previously smoke-filled bar with a drink in hand.
6.  Be OK being vulnerable:  This can be hard to do when judgement is present; however, take that risk.  We can't grow if we can't admit where we need to grow.
7.  Have difficult conversations:  Don't be afraid to have (respectful) passionate conversations filled with cognitive dissonance.  You will walk away with either a stronger belief in what you currently do or your eyes open to new approaches...or even both!!!
8.  Flip your schedule one day a week:  If you usually get to school early and leave right after, do the opposite.  If you usually get to school on time and stay late, flip it.  One day a week, that's all. By changing this schedule you might get to know colleagues (and other school employees) you otherwise wouldn't have.
9.  Read:  Try to read a new book every month.  This gives you new ideas and new things about which you can converse with your colleagues. Maybe you will find that the teacher with whom you thought you have nothing in common actually shares a similar passion as you.  Plus, reading is just good for you.
10.  Have fun:  Think back to when you started teaching or when you decided you wanted to be a teacher.  I don't know about you, but I found (and still do) this profession to be fun.  In my first year as department chair last year, when people would ask how things were going, I would say, "very well, actually...I think: I mean after all, I am having fun and still sleeping each night."  So, have fun (again).

Join me in making at least one of these resolutions and challenge your colleagues to do the same.  I don't know about you, but I would love to start the new year knowing we are all working to make our jobs easier through supporting one another.