Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/229155
"We're on equal footing," says Ruth Gaer, here having a "fierce conversation" with school administrator Mark Douglas. FEATURE Mount Diablo Unified School District (continued) and Assembly Member Susan Bonilla handed out awards. Stars on the walls contained quotes about the nominees for categories that included Teacher of the Year, Classified Employee, Leadership and Courage, Outstanding Administrator, Student Advocate, Outstanding Volunteer, and Most Inspirational. Elegant table settings added ambience, and a student glee club sang. Speeches, tears and abundant goodwill accompanied the handing out of the awards. "It was an event that spotlighted the brilliant teachers, administrators, classified employees and volunteers that make this a wonderful district," says school librarian and MDEA member Laurel Burns. "It united the entire Mount Diablo community, and set a positive tone for future interactions." MDEA had $7,000 left over from the dinner, and used it as seed money to start a foundation dedicated to supporting the arts in elementary schools. Plans are now under way for a second awards ceremony. "I think this made people realize that teachers care about other things besides getting more money and working conditions," says Moore. "It showed the community we can work together. When we change the focus from negative to positive by highlighting the great work people do, things can change for the better." Editor's Note: Relationships are never perfect. MDEA and the district are at impasse in negotiations and MDEA is publicly protesting inadequate compensation and health benefits. The Academy Awards were a giant step toward improving morale, says MDEA President Guy Moore. "We look forward to settling our contract dispute so we can continue working together to improve school climate." 28 Educator 12 Dec 2013 v2.0 int.indd 28 "FIERCE CONVERSATIONS" END FIGHTING IN FULLERTON administrators in Fullerton "Our communication improved dramaticalElementary School District routinely sent "toply," says Ruth Gaer, who serves on the FETA down memos" that ticked teachers off. Neither bargaining team. "We're able to be as honest as side trusted the other. Rather than engaging possible. We don't play games. We are now on in meaningful dialogue, administrators and equal footing." teachers talked at each other. The book Fierce Conversations: Achieving Things have improved, says Karla Turner, Success at Work and in Life One Conversation Fullerton Elementary Teachers at a Time by Susan Scott was Association (FETA) president. Now, distributed to attendees at the memos are frequently co-written retreat, and administrators, educaby union leadership and admintors and classified employees used istrators to strike a positive tone. the book to discuss work issues They view each other as partners, and emotions in ways that were not adversaries. "Fierce conversahonest, respectful and diplomatic. tions," where people say what they Fierce conversations continue mean without fear of repercussion, in meetings between school staff happen frequently. and educators. Lawyers, once part A change in superintendents of every bargaining session, are no five years ago started the ball longer needed. Money saved from Karla Turner rolling in a more positive direction. the absence of legal representaDuring that time, Spanish teacher Ruth Gaer tion has been redirected to fund professional shared information with colleagues about ABC development for teacher evaluation task force School District in Cerritos, where teachers and members. FETA members say a harmonious administrators had improved relationships. relationship with administration resulted in Her husband, Ray Gaer, is president of that a more "teacher-friendly" evaluation process Cerritos chapter, an affiliate of the American that has been piloted in schools. Test scores Federation of Teachers. He wanted a better have gone up, which both parties attribute to working environment for Ruth, so he invitbeing on the same page. ed Fullerton teachers, administrators and "Our motto is, 'We don't let each other fail,'" classified staff to a two-day PAL (Partnership says Turner. "We have each other's back." between Administration and Labor) retreat at Lessons were learned, says culinary arts a hotel, where they could see positive behavteacher and FETA member Kristin Montoya. ior modeled. Fullerton folks were impressed "Everybody has a different perspective, but at the display of civility. After three years we all want what's best for the kids. When of workshops in the PAL process, Fullerton we work together instead of being 'us versus sponsored its own PAL retreat as a way to them,' we can reach our goals much quicker improve communication between educators than we did in the past." and administrators. FIVE YEARS AGO, DE C E M B E R 2013 | JANUARY 2014 12/14/13 3:33 PM