Dealing With Difficult Teachers

Part 1: The Principal and the Difficult Teacher What Is a Difficult Teacher? 3(8) Three Kinds of Teachers 11(12) Autonomy of The Superstar---An Important Ingredient to Success 13(4) The Leadership of the Superstar 17(2) Do Not Give Power to Difficult Teachers 19(4) The Role of The Principal 23(8) Approach is Everything 27(4) Part 2: Motivating Difficult Teachers Looking for the Good Part---Sometimes You Have To Squint 31(10) Friday Focus---Developing a Staff Memo That Works 33(2) Give Difficult Teachers Responsibility 35(3) Praise In Front of a Superior 38(3) Public versus Private Praising 41(8) Part 3: Making Difficult Teachers Uncomfortable Uncomfortable Is Good 49(4) Raising Discomfort Levels 51(1) Empower the Good Guys 51(2) Accept Responsibility---They Can't Pass The Buck 53(8) Interpersonal Intelligence 53(3) Accepting Responsibility---They Cannot Pass the Buck 56(5) The Teachers' Lounge and Other Challenges 61(20) Faculty Meetings 61(7) The Teachers' Workroom 68(2) Use Peers---Use Caution 70(11) Always Assume That They Want to Do What Is Right 81(12) Part 4: Communicating With the Difficult Teacher Approach Them When You Are Ready 93(6) First, Determine When You Are Comfortable 94(1) When Will They Be Most Uncomfortable? 94(2) The Broken Record 96(3) The Best Teacher, Worst Teacher Test 99(6) Always Approach The Teacher As If The Whole Staff Were In the Room 99(1) Staff Were in the Room 99(1) The Best Teacher, Worst Teacher Test 100(2) Sharing With Peers Makes Your Job Easier 102(1) One to One, Not One To All 103(2) Focus on Eliminating Behaviors 105(8) Defending Ineffective Teachers 106(1) But, My Personal Life 107(1) Ignorance or Insubordination 108(2) Focus on Our Own Behaviors 110(3) Questioning Strategies 113(8) Mrs. Grump 113(2) ``Tell Me a Little Bit About...'' 115(2) What Would The Best Teachers Do? 117(4) Part 5: Weakening The Influence of Difficult Teachers No More Party Poopers! 121(18) Understand The Dynamics---Dealing With Negative Leaders 125(2) Break Up The Group 127(4) The Power of Pity 131(4) Guest Speakers 135(4) Sometimes You Have To Shuffle The Deck 139(8) Room Location 139(1) Conference Period---Planning Time 140(1) Grade Level 141(1) If You Miss a Little, You Miss a Lot 142(5) Part 6: The Role of New Faculty What About The New Kids? 147(4) New Teacher Leadership 151(4) Part 7: Eliminating Difficult Teachers Where Do I Start? 155(6) Focus On The End Goal 155(1) Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe 156(5) Retirement And Other Miracles 161(6) Retirement 161(3) Building Transfers 164(1) Discontinuing a Program 165(2) Dismissal 167(8) Nonrenewal of Probationary Teachers 167(1) Dismissal of Tenured Teachers 168(2) Documentation---An Essential Element 170(5) Part 8: General Tips and Guidelines How Can I Stop Them From Sending so Many Students To The Office? 175(4) If All Else Fails---General Tips, Guidelines and Reminders 179(4) If They Know You Are Aware of IT, They Know You Accept It 179(1) Never Argue or Raise Your Voice With a Difficult Teacher 180(1) Hope They Run Out and Tell Their Peers 181(1) Use a Shotgun Approach 182(1) Easing The Guilt 183(2) Should You Feel Guilty? 183(2) References 185