How do you deal with a peer, in my case, a teacher, who is fantastic at her teaching job but is currently displaying negative feelings towards me by criticizing any attempts made by me to introduce high-tech or state of the art teaching aids, bookkeeping and communication tools. She thinks it is unnecessary while I think we need to take advantage of technology to make our day to day lives smoother and more effective.
Yes, she doesn’t even check her emails…so that’s where she is at, and very afraid of change.
How do I deal with this keeping in mind that she is also a very good friend and don’t want her to think I’m smarter than her in any way. I’m not. But I think we need to grow.
How do you deal with a peer, in my case, a teacher, who is fantastic at her teaching job but is currently displaying negative feelings towards me by criticizing any attempts made by me to introduce high-tech or state of the art teaching aids, bookkeeping and communication tools. She thinks it is unnecessary while I think we need to take advantage of technology to make our day to day lives smoother and more effective.
Yes, she doesn't even check her emails...so that's where she is at, and very afraid of change.
How do I deal with this keeping in mind that she is also a very good friend and don't want her to think I'm smarter than her in any way. I'm not. But I think we need to grow.
Have you considered the fact that it might be a genuine concern on her part, and not professional jealousy?
There are lot of people out there who feel that arming kids with google/ipads at a very young age shunts their ability to think on their own. There is a local school here, where kids actually use ipads as 'notebooks'. I too personally feel that overexposure to technology at a very young age can make kids too reliant on point and shoot solutions. So for all you know, this lady might have what she feels are valid reasons to resist introduction of high tech stuff at a young age.
Id say discuss this with her and dont let her feel that she is 'behind the times'. She might be willing to compromise to a certain extent.
You're absolutely right. But we are not talking about computers in the classroom type of technology but simple stuff like having an email distribution list for parents, a website...stuff like that.
You take into account her feelings and be as diplomatic as possible. Include her in this project of yours, compliment her on her talent, etc. Basically kill her with kindness so she sees things from your perspective. She may just be feeling intimidated by you but she's an adult and its not something she cannot get over.
On a side note.. I have dealt with very unprofessional-professional jealousy (aka harrassment) to the point I resigned (and was advised to do so as well )
Where jealousy goes a bit beyond what is considered healthy (if there is such a thing).
"to introduce high-tech or state of the art teaching aids" From this I got the impression the goal was to introduce high tech teaching tools for the kids. Just on that point, I agree with Silaaj, especially if the kids are young. Technology has its place, but too much if it can be a distraction and even time waste.
As for email, that has now become a full time job - so much junk gets in. I am not even sure email is necessary to teach kids. Some parents may not have a compute at home - so may not have an email account. In the old days, if techer needs to send a message hime, it would be done through the kid. A website is more an advertising tool, isn't it.
I see your point, and I see her point also. Looks like your strength is her not so strength - could be a formidable team.
may be she feels you will be in control of everything with the techonology (somethng she is not good at).......and therefore you will end up dominating the decision making etc etc......
also the point of keeping things simple..........technology needs to be introduced when tehre is a real need........... just throwing in gadgets and IT systems just for the sake of it........like mentioning in your brochure as marketing gimmic......i don't think its too much necessary......UNLESS THERE IS A REAL NEED FOR IT.
You need to make it clear to her the difference between utilising technology for the classroom/school etc etc and over-exposing kids to too much technology. I still know people who refuse to use debit cards (they use cheques even though most shops don't take them anymore!) or even some people who barely use a mobile phone because they're too stubborn to go with change or new things.
If she's a logical person, she won't be able to argue against you showing her how it can benefit your workplace. I dunno, I suppose you'd have to go gently with her instead of just pushing it at her and making her feel like she is being made to change the way she works/what she is used to
Yes I have to tread on this gently. The thing is that I am responsible for the flow of communication in the school and with the parents. I feel we need to move on to a better method than written notes and word of mouth...or at least add on to it.
Haven't you people distributed the responsibilities among yourselves? And that being done, when you are the communication-incharge, I would say you do as you deem appropriate. You cannot let a friend/relative/acquaintance meddle in your work responsibilities and let you do as pleases them. After all, your work is yours and you are doing it to satisfy your sense of responsibility and not to please your colleagues/friends Maybe you could hold a general staff meeting to have a consensus on this and move on.
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