Each year Carbon School District holds a day for what is called Teachers Institute. That happens just before school starts and this year it took place on August 22.

The day is set aside as a kind of orientation and a kickoff for the new school year. Part of the day is spent at the district office auditorium where all the teachers in the district meet and are introduced to the new instructors in the district. They also get other information that will help them begin the new year.

After the morning gathering  the teachers then go to the school buildings and have other meetings and collaboration time to get ready for school to start.

During the morning meeting there is always a guest speaker as well, to start off the year with some positive learning. This year that speaker was Mark E. Petersen from Positive Cultures, an Orem consulting firm.

“I know you have been working hard on collaboration between you and I can see that is paying off,” he began as he spoke with the assembled educators. I have to say I am dazzled by the scores and graduation rates that have been taking place in Carbon School District.”

He said that collaboration is based on relationships and that those relationships are one of the most important parts of education. He pointed out a number of things everyone should do to improve relationships and communications.

• First he said that everyone should feel that others have “good intent” in their actions.

“Sometimes when you are bothered by someone you just need to let it go,” he said.

• Second he said that everyone should pay attention to themselves, as well as others.

“You should be aware how things are being said and how others are responding,” he told the group.

He gave an example of a exchange he had with one of his teenage daughters over a curfew time. He said his rules about her coming home too late, even just five minutes, got in the way of their communication.

He said that in most teams sports coaches have other coaches watching the action from other viewpoints to bring light to things that can’t be seen on the sidelines. In the “sky box” there is a different point of view about what is going on and sometimes looking at both viewpoints from that vantage point can be helpful in building winning relationships.

“Stand above and look at both sides from the sidelines,” he said. “Often that will solve the problems with greater understanding.”

• Restate what people are saying for understanding.

He said that sometimes when we talk with people we are too busy getting ready to respond instead of listening to people. Saying “I understand” or speaking autobiographically about our own problems or ideas does not facilitate communications. Instead we should use the persons exact words repeated back so that we can be sure we heard what they said. Also being open with no judgement in our voice will help with communication, no matter how touchy the subject may be.

He also said that going the extra mile when communicating with someone can make all the difference too. He gave the example of someone who was being a secret shopper in grocery stores and they were told to contact 11 different stores and complain that they purchased some bad milk. Ten of those stores told the shopper the stock answer of  “bring it back in and we will give you your money back.” But one store’s dairy manager went beyond that and not only told the shopper to not only bring it back, but he also offered to give the shopper a tour of the store  and show them how the establishment strives to keep perishables fresh for customers.

He said that great teachers use these kinds of techniques to not only communicate with students but also with their parents and others. He stated that sometimes the greatest teachers  that do these kinds of things are often unsung heroes, but that it doesn’t really matter because they make a difference in their students lives.

“Who will know you are a great teacher then? Well your students, some of their parents, and God. Not a bad audience,” he concluded.