Lessons from Mom: Unheard conversations

This post relates to my post several months ago about why people don't speak-up in meetings.  Mom left a comment on the post.  And then, because of that battle I lost with my priorities - I didn't publish it!  I read it just now over the weekend. (Ugh! Really sorry, Mom.)  And here it is...because it is well worth reading.  We are all still battling like 10 year old! :-), jill

Hey Jill,  I remember sitting in meetings being so bored and therefore making mental lists of groceries, things to be done at home, in my classroom, etc.  Also, like you said, it was useless having an opinion because the topic was predecided before the meeting anyway, just needed to be documented that a meeting about the subject was held and we had a chance to voice an opinion.  An example: the school calender for the coming year.....pre-decided but presented HA~!!!!!  In my classroom I always tried to make everyone feel that it was safe to have an opinion, no one, including myself was going to get upset with just an opinion.  How else could you teach that everyone counts and is an important part of the whole room....especially the quiet ones? They could also write it down & give it to me. I always thought the only way to develop an opinion at that age was to ask for one! This doesn't change at any age does it?!!!!  MOM

Comments

[Helen Palmer]

Jill, what a wise woman you have for a mother :-)