Conflict Resolution

Conflict or disagreements  in any situation are extremely uncomfortable for me. I feel anxiety and uneasy until there is some type of solution. With that being said, I try to avoid conflict and disagreements at all costs. Unfortunately, not everything can be avoided or ignored so when I do have a disagreement or conflict I generally try to take a step back so as not to respond in anger or without thinking first.

One strategy that may help a lot, especially with conflict in the workplace, would be to take the Third Side, which includes thinking about conflict from all sides and a larger perspective (The Third Side, n.d.). It is so easy to think that your side is the right side and it so important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Perhaps getting advice from the insiders and outsiders as suggested through this strategy will help in conflict resolution while at work as well as at home.

Another strategy that I believe will help with conflict or disagreement is using the Three R’s, Respect, Response, and Responsibility (Cheshire, 2007). Whether working with young children or adults, using the Three R’s will help in communication and care. Giving respect to others is not only something that I practice but also teach to my students as well. Being respectful is an important part of being a person and learning how to be respectful is important at a young age. As I teach about respect I must also make sure that I am using it all the time as well. If I am not giving the appropriate response time to an issue at work, that is neither respectful not following the guideline of response for the Three R’s. When I take a step back, perhaps I take too long to return to the disagreement and that can make matters worse. It is important that I use appropriate wait time for all conflicts.

How do you resolve conflicts in co-teaching classrooms? I have worked in a co-teaching classroom for a few years now and sometimes I am not sure if I always resolve issues appropriately. Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

References

The Third Side. (n.d.) What is the third side? Retrieved February 10, 2018 from http://thirdside.williamury.com/what-is-the-third-side/

Chesire, N. (2007). The 3 R’s: Gateway to infant and toddler learning. Dimension of early childhood, 35 (3), 36-38. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/courses/1/USW1.47418.201840/db/_85219993_1/embedded/Cheshire_3Rs_2007.pdf