Happy teachers?

It's not surprising that happier workers work harder and better, according to an article in today's New York Times by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer.  They report that "Worker's well-being depends, in large part, on manager's ability and willingness to facilitate workers' accomplishments--by removing obstacles, providing help and acknowledging strong effort."  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/opinion/sunday/do-happier-people-work-harder.html  It would seem self-evident that any employee, teachers included, will work better when he or she feels supported, has the resources necessary to do the job well and is given positive feedback for good performance.

Today's paper also included pieces from former and current teachers that point to the increasingly difficult conditions under which teachers today work.  "It's understandable," one writer notes, "why many teachers caught between the demands of the reform movement and the sharp budget cuts . . . are not returning to school with enthusiasm."  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/opinion/sunday/sunday-dialogue-which-school-reforms-will-work-best.html  I know I speak for many teachers who don't feel supported by their administration, who lack the resources necessary to do their job well and feel they will be punished for any shortcomings while positive efforts go unacknowledged.  Is it any wonder than that many feel a sense of trepidation (maybe even dread?) as the new school year begins.

As for me, I wonder what I will face when I report for duty on Tuesday.  What will I be teaching?  (Teachers are given a preference sheet before the end of the semester, but that is no guarantee of what one's schedule will be.)  Will I be in one, or two, or perhaps three classrooms?  Will the administration be fair or heavy-handed in implementing the new Common Core State Standards and Teacher Evaluation protocol?

Now more than ever teachers are wondering what the new school year will bring.  Many will bring with them a skeptical attitude about the reform efforts.  And as we know, unhappy workers will probably be less productive than happy ones.