Really Listening to Teachers

In the Beginnings Workshop article collection, "Building Self-Image," Margie Carter contributed the article "Developing Strong Self-Images — It's Important for Teachers, too!"  In this article she shared examples of how effective directors are helping build up teachers' self images.  One example involved listening to teachers:

"In our busy lives as directors, it's a challenge to really give time and attention to teachers.  During trainings, I try to help staff understand the difference between three kinds of listening: autobiographical listening, where you only hear things that relate to your own experience or perspective; merry-go-round listening, which involves just waiting or biding your time until it's your turn to speak; and deep listening, where you are genuinely trying to understand and learn something new.

"Whether in a one-to-one exchange or during staff meetings, the practice of deep listening goes a long way toward enhancing the self-esteem of both the speaker and the listener."

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