Teach Middle East Magazine Issue 1 Volume 3 Sep-Oct 2015 | Page 42

Inside the Staffroom Build a professional learning community in your staffroom By Chassie Selouane “If you’ve got enough enthusiasm so it infects other people, everybody is going to do better.” – Willie Mays W hile the beginning of each academic year is exciting, it is difficult to leave the fun relaxing vibe of the summer and return to the alarm clocks and daily commute. We have to take into consideration Willie Mays’ quote, and remember that attitude and enthusiasm are the key to starting off a successful school year. Most schools have an induction week that takes place the week before students return. This is the perfect chance to start building your professional learning community in your staffroom with small icebreakers that can help foster a positive attitude and environment, conducive to professional learning and collaboration. Plan a couple of icebreakers to help everyone get to know each other and set the tone you would like to see for your staffroom. Below are a few ideas that you can use to break the ice and welcome your colleagues back to an exciting new academic year. 40 | Sep - Oct 2015 | | Continental Breakfast Offer everyone that enters a cup of coffee/tea, a snack and a welcome back! Few people can resist brea kfast snack goodies, and most people need a cup of coffee/tea to get their day started. A great way to win hearts and break the ice in the staff room is on the first day back. Simply bring a thermos of coffee and an assortment of teas, cups and a box of doughnuts or croissants and set them on your desk. You can bake them yourself or stop at the corner store on the way into school. Regardless of where the food came from, sharing breakfast goodies is a sure way to break the ice with your colleagues and make life long work friends. Inspirational Quotes & A Hug or Kiss Chocolate can always sweeten someone’s attitude. Hershey’s chocolate hugs or kisses packaged in little bags along with inspirational quotes and a marking pen (red or green ink colour) can be a nice icebreaker on the first day of school. A great source for the quotes is ‘Great Quotes for Great Educators’ by Todd Whitaker. Class Time This book is full of wonderful quotes to share and inspire your colleagues in the staffroom for the new adventures you face in a new academic year. Decoration Aesthetics do matter and can make a difference. Set the example by getting creative and decorating your work area in a creative and unique fashion. Make your workspace a talking point for those who enter the staffroom. You are sure to get comments and these can break the ice with your co-workers. Perhaps you can then challenge your colleagues to a decoration contest and have an administrator come in to judge the creativity of the decorations. A Smile Goes a Long Way A smile is the simplest form of nonverbal communication. If you always greet each person with a smile it can make him/her feel welcome and comfortable. First impressions cannot be changed. If you aren’t ready to spend the time baking, creating treat bags or decorating your desk; remember that the best icebreaker in the world is a smile.