Ch.+8+Consensus+&+Conflict+1

===Conflict is inevitable within a Professional Learning Community. How will we respond to the challenge of conflict in such a way we can grow and move forward rather than a having a “flight or fight” response?===

Start Here: If I have real life examples of how this is the best practice then that helps me to be on board. Also, being able to have my say about my opinions, concerns, etc. helps as well. Sometimes we just have to jump out on a limb and try something before bashing it (H. Witt) I feel that it is very important to make everyone feel that their opinion is important to the group. We should respect experience, but at the same time be willing and open to new ideas. The reading material suggests that we should avoid a majority rules situation, but it does sometimes may have to come down to that. That can be okay as long as everyone agrees that we have to go along with that. It is not the best situation though. (R. Hames) There's an old phrase: No pain, no gain. Although conflict can pose problems, it seems that through conflict there is also growth. I'm not suggesting that we cause conflict on purpose, but rather than when it arises, we will gain in some way. When there is a significant disagreement, everyone should have the opportunity to express his/her opinion and truly be heard. We must be flexible and willing to give and take. (J. Layman) Being open to change and new ways is a form of growth. Without growth, we're stagnant. Therefore, within our learning and teaching groups, we need to be open to trying new teaching methods, and look at possibilities from someone else's point of view. Try it, you might be surprised that the "new" works! (JHallCES) Every person has an opinion. Some people are more outspoken about them and some keep them to themselves. When a new program, or anything that may cause conflict for that matter, is implemented, sometimes it may be a good idea to have grade levels meet and discuss these ideas and how each person really and truly feel about things and then they could be shared while the entire facutly. I think that it is important for people not to take comments personally and to always look and differences constructively and hopefully come to a conclusions that takes everyone's ideas into consideration. When dealing with large faculties, of course,there are always going to be people who disagree. I just feel that the way of communication, listening to all ideas and making a decision based on what is best for the faculty and the students will help the Professional Learning Community in dealing with conflict. (Jessica Wimberley) It might be helpful to have some discussion of the issues covered in this reading (consensus, definition and implications; positives that can come from differing ideas; conflict resolution). Joint decision-making requires trust and in the process of implementing so many new programs and approaches disagreement is inevitable. Finding productive ways to work through conflict can help to maintain and rebuild that trust. (ELand) I think if everyone is respected and heard and the will of the group is clear to even those who are opposed, we will go a long way to reducing conflict. If there is a spirit of being together on a new initiative those who are not living up to the commitment would feel pressure to "come on board." (ALand) We all think we are doing things the best way and know best what to do, but we also have to be open to new ideas and change. Discussions should be respectful and everyone should be willing to listen to each other. In the end there should be a person in charge that decides and communicates the final decision, usually the principal since that is the recognized authority (or the boss) in the school. Conflict will never be completely gone due to the personalities that have to work together, but it is easier if we recoginze an authority that has the final answer. (ELee)