Stuck in a rut.

Common state of being for school personnel these days.

Budget cuts Lack of material resources Lack of human resource Asked to do more with less ESEA waiver Common Core Standards Evaluation tied to student progress

Run and hide?????Roll over and play dead???? Run and Hide?Roll over and Play Dead?

Generally, difficult people will fall into one or more of these categories: Hostile/Aggressive types Know it all Snipers Complainers Quiet type Yes, people Negaholic

Characteristics Bullies and loudmouths Intimidation Territorial Dealing: Stand up to them Assert yourself Redirect Smile

Characteristics: I am better than you. I know more, just ask me. I am an expert. Dealing: Patience Redirect/include others Self confidence

Characteristics: Sarcasm Innuendo Back stabbing Covert Dealing: Overt-get it out in the open Confront-don’t let them get away with it. FACE to FACE Be open and honest.

Characteristics: Whine Avoid responsibility Martyr syndrome Blame others Tends to cycle Dealing: Break the cycle Don’t agree it only makes them worse Interrupt if necessary and take control. Listen, what are they really trying to tell you.

Characteristics: Avoid risk at all costs Non-committal Seek safety by refusing to respond May respond with “I don’t know” or “I don’t care” Dealing: Ask open ended questions Allow pointed silence State what you are willing to do. Tell them if they are not going to respond then you take that as an affirmative for what you want to do.

Characteristics: Always agreeable even when they don’t have all the facts May be seen as “brown- nosing” People pleaser Over-promises and never delivers Avoids conflicts Dealing: Ask for opinions Make honesty non- threatening Don’t allow them to over commit Check progress

Characteristics: Often they have been deeply disappointed in life May not trust Pessimist Lost locus of control Dealing: Don’t let them get to you. Be careful it doesn’t become contagious Give them success Build trust

Don't take difficult people's behavior personally. Their behavior is habitual and affects most people with whom they come in contact. Don't fight back or try to beat them at their own games. They have been practicing their skills for a lifetime, and you're an amateur. Don't try to appease them. Difficult people have an insatiable appetite for more. Don't try to change them. You can only change your responses to their behavior.

matter is actually % empty space observation affects reality. if you let someone irritate you, or you let one thought dominate your mind. You continue to carry something that should have been set down a long time ago. And of course the frustration you carry around, the difficult person probably isn't thinking twice about. Why should you be the person suffering?

You are the Peacemaker. We are all in this together. IEP at a glance LRE In-class vs. direct service Difference between accommodations and modifications.

People react in different ways when they find out a student in their class needs accommodations...

Differentiated Instruction Terminology from general education. Accommodations Terminology from special education.

How do I get things done when I have to deal with difficult people and situations?

Be Friendly Have a little or lot of patience Listen Don’t gossip Be respectful Model

Personalize

Have plan A, but always have plan B, C, or D if needed.

Personable, innovative, creative. Have a sense of humor

negotiate, compromise, win-win.

Use your expertise.

Things do not always go the way you want them to.

Ethical decisions; honesty

Try one or more of these stress relievers 1. Exercise 2. Quiet thoughts 3. Laugh 4. Reach out to others 5. Learn to say no-don’t overburden yourself. 6. Breathe 7. Get a good nights sleep 8. Journal 9. Get musical 10. Seek counsel

What does it take to make it in the educational workplace?

Optimistic Find the Good things in life

Don’t get harried or hurried.

You are not just “one of the crowd” Stand out and be proud of it.

Just know that as soon as you get your schedule made some one is going to want to change it. And guess who will have to be flexible???? May not have planned it this way but work with what you have.

Courage is not about having no fears, but the ability to overcome fears and do what you need to do. Be confident

Work together Talk, talk, talk Even when you don’t want to. Do it FACE to FACE

Explore new ideas Try new things Don’t be afraid of trial and error.

M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled