A good colleague encouraged me to seek greater collaboration in spheres were voice and choice seemed unwelcome. I reached out but was met with further walls that prevent good communication and share. What's a teacher to do?
I think that after many attempts to coordinate effort, it's time to take a break from that situation. If others demonstrate little will or effort to collaborate, work together, or find common ground, then you have to take a giant step away from the situation unless that situation has potential to harm or hurt people, then you have to persist.
In my situation, children will not be harmed or hurt, and I will be able to support them more by stepping away from the situation at this time. It's unfortunate that this is the way it has to be, but it's the best that I can figure out given the situation details, efforts, and story.
On the other hand, terrific avenues of support and collaboration exist. The Parent Teacher Organization sets aside money to support teacher-driven efforts. The local grant source, WPSF, also is able to provide financial support if the grants are crafted in a way that they will be forwarded. The union has recently agreed on language to support teacher voice and choice with regard to new initiatives, and the grade-level teaching team is similarly willing to work in collaboration to create, analyze, and forward good ideas. Further, there are many, many educational professionals eager and willing to offer consult and ideas all over the world who lend good consult, support, and sometimes financing too.
Knowing who and where your supports lie in specific areas of life is critical. It's not a good idea to seek support and consult in arenas that do not support your work and effort as that steals time away from the good work possible.
Sometimes it's difficult to understand why some would not be willing to work together, see it from your side, or use good process to make advantageous change and development, however it appears that this does occur, and we have to be mindful of that so we don't spend lots of wasted time in areas of little to no support, and instead look to those who will work with us to make promising change and growth. Onward.
