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Recently I have been participating in the interview procedures for new teachers at Lewes New School and it has been wonderful to meet lots of teachers all wanting to become a part of our community. I think that there is always an initial fear about a lovely and respected teacher leaving, but I have come to recognise the value in having new teachers joining our school and working alongside those who were part of the school almost from the very beginning and those who joined along the way.
The danger in any community which is held together by an ideology or belief is that it is easy to become fixed and dogmatic; being fallible human beings we have a propensity to seek out evidence which supports our beliefs and dismiss that which doesn’t. Having new teachers coming in to the school keeps us on our toes and helps to prevent that from happening.
It seems to me to be very healthy to have new members on the team who may do things a little differently, or challenge some of our ideas - whilst at the same time supporting and believing in our ethos. This led me to thinking about what the key principles are that hold us together; the qualities which would be instantly recognizable to those who share them, but which do not straightjacket us into only one way of thinking, or one set of opinions. I came up with authenticity and respect – anybody else like to have a go?
Over the past couple of weeks, in the process of meeting lots of teachers from other schools, I have felt very proud of what we have achieved at our school and I am aware more than ever before of what we have to offer any teacher seeking to join us. But I am also excited by what they have to offer us from their very different backgrounds and experiences.
The other way in which we can achieve that balance between stability and growth is in embracing the value in teachers leaving us for a while to learn and grow through new experiences, and then returning and sharing it with us. Aforementioned lovely and respected teacher: hurry back!
Stephanie [PET/TET] facilitator
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