Flexibility

#DailyWritingChallenge

Day 24: 16/04/2020

Being flexible is an important trait in any teacher and leader as it means that one is able to learn and easily adapt to the different circumstances that occur in the workplace.

In the classroom, flexibility is key. A great teacher is able to respond to the needs of individual students and adapt their practice to support their students’ progress. Even the way we communicate with individual students shows our ability to be flexible without losing our consistent approach.

So then, why do some adults struggle to show that same flexibility and adaptability when it comes to other adults? Being flexible as a leader does not mean you are losing your values, in fact it shows that you are led by them.

How? Well, I have been very blessed to work in schools where my leaders have shown flexibility to support me during difficult circumstances. As some of you may know, in January 2020 I stepped down from a senior leadership position to temporarily become a part time teacher. I was going to leave due to family circumstances but it was my line manager who suggested I try flexible working hours. Despite the sheer amount of work it would be for her and others in my department, she knew that it would mean I could spend time with my dad and still continue teaching. My leader understood that if she had not been flexible, I would have left the profession because I could not, at that point, see the solutions myself. See, that’s what a great leader is able to do: they are able to understand the needs of their team and recognise their strengths and support them whenever they need it.

In my time of need, I had a leader who knew me, knew I loved teaching and our school community but who understood what I needed at that point in my career was not a senior leadership position. When I spoke to my Headteacher about this, she was also very supportive and showed a kindness in her approach. And this the thing, there is no point of saying you’re flexible if you are not driven by compassion and appropriate actions. Nobody made me feel guilty about my flexible working request, despite the fact that some of my colleagues would be severely affected by this. Their timetables would change; some would be taking over my classes on the days I was no longer working and others would be doing my lunch duties. They supported me, showed me compassion and adapted because that’s what leaders do. I am so blessed to work with the best team in the world (yes the world, FGCS English!) because each and every single one of them showed me love and compassion during a time when I wasn’t loving and compassionate towards myself.

With the help of my colleagues and the @WomenEd community, I am beginning to accept that I need to be kind in the way I treat myself too, especially during this time. I say this because I am more than happy to do what is needed of me and beyond but this pressure to tick off everything on my list can be overwhelming. Outside of the workplace, I need to acknowledge that I can’t do everything and that’s okay.

So, as I have seen for myself, if we want to retain teachers and help them become the best they can be, then be flexible as a leader and adapt to individual needs as you would do for students in your classroom.

#DailyWritingChallenge