Think of the most difficult teachers you know. What do you think of? In other words, what adjectives would you use to describe them? What characteristics come to mind? In asking many groups of principals, superintendents, teachers, and students this question, several words and phrases keep coming up. Terms and phrases that are frequently used to describe these difficult teachers include:
-lazy
-negative
-resistant to change
-boring
-negative leader
-belligerent
-inflexible
-back stabber
-domineering
-stubborn
-don’t like their job
-don’t like themselves
-counting the days until they retire
-counting the days until school ends (and it is early October!)
-rude
-cannot get along with others
-lectures
-argumentative
-cynical
-don’t like kids
Not a real glamorous list is it?
Staff Influence. There is nothing more damaging to a school, especially one attempting to bring about positive change, than a negative teacher-leader. A negative teacher-leader is someone who cannot only fight good ideas, but-worse yet-one who can convince other teachers to be negative as well. Sometimes these teachers are not particularly poor classroom teachers. They often have some level of interpersonal skills. These interpersonal strengths often increase their level of influence. However, you must reduce the negative influence of these people, or it becomes very difficult to implement new programs or ideas. Many times if you can reduce their negative influence, then you can tolerate them in the classroom.
The challenge of reducing their influence without losing credibility with the remainder of the faculty is essential. Diminishing the relationship between the principal and this negative teacher-leader might diminish the relationship between the principal and some of the staff members who look to this negative leader for guidance. Do not allow this possibility to be a rationale for inaction. For a school to move forward in an effective direction, it is essential that the productive, positive staff members provide the momentum and direction for the school and staff. Reducing the ability of the most negative and resistant staff to cause other staff members to “drag their feet” is a critical part of this process.
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on Dealing With Difficult Teachers 2nd Edition by Todd Whitaker
