Lessons from the Jungle
There are many landmarks in the calendar year. Birthdays, other anniversaries and special dates like the first day of a new term, Christmas, Easter, the list goes on and on. I vividly remember the older relatives telling me as a youngster that these memorable times come round quicker and quicker as your age increases and I can now firmly confirm that they were absolutely right.
Perhaps one of the more bizarre landmarks that appears in the annual schedule of events is the tv programme ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’. Over the last 20 plus years this nightly feature during the run up to Christmas has commanded a significant audience and has become a permanent fixture. It may now take a few more liberties with the term ‘celebrity’ than it did in earlier years, but the format has survived with very few changes, or should I say ‘face-lifts’. One of the more positive aspects of the programme is that in this age of teenagers moving away from traditional tv and getting their visual entertainment diet from gaming and other digital sources, ‘I’m a Celebrity’ pushes those boundaries back. It unashamedly promotes parents watching the same tv at the same time with their children. Something which unfortunately has become increasingly rare.
I must say at this point that I am not a particular addict of the programme, although I am of course familiar with the format. As a social experiment I think it is fascinating, but as regards eating various, increasingly more ridiculous, parts of animals then I am not a fan.
As I occasionally dip into the programme just to confirm exactly how many of the contestants I have never heard of, my mind does wander a little and I start to ask myself questions. What is it that makes one year’s cohort better than another, why do some people thrive while some celebrities flounder? These and many other thoughts flash around my head.
Last week I was thinking about how the format could be transferred to education and immediately I saw several similarities. Just like the celebrities in the programme we can find ourselves in a setting full of people with differing characteristics. I know the staffroom may seem very different, but trust me, it can be just as challenging as a jungle!
As with any group of individuals, the dynamics are key. There are a range of skill sets and people soon take on distinctive roles which match their personality. Every camp, every staffroom needs an organizer, a pragmatist, who keeps people on track. Workers are also essential, because there is always heavy lifting to do, in whatever form it takes. In fact, having several people with this outlook shares the load and also enables the group to get more done. A staffroom really needs optimism when the going gets tough and therefore someone who constantly looks on the bright side is hugely valuable. It can be in the form of humour or through constant positive comments, it doesn’t matter, as long as negativity isn’t allowed to be the dominant feeling.
A group needs a carer, a special kind of person who is extremely observant, keeping an eye on everyone to see that they are ok. I am really pleased to say that primary education is heavily populated with these people. It is fundamental to the nature of their job and therefore attracts these types of individuals. They truly are a people person. Finally a group needs a leader and if you want to know what that someone should look like you have a definitive list above. A leader must have pragmatism, they should work as hard as anyone, keep the spirits high and be caring. These leaders are the kings and queens of the jungle!
The next time you are with your team at school remember that the vast majority of your colleagues in our profession are simply lovely people. We understand that there are challenges and trials and that they are difficult, but it isn’t the harsh reality of the Australian outback. No poisonous snakes, no cockroaches in your boots and no nauseous animals to eat. It may be hard, but it is a great job.
Shout it out. I’m a teacher, keep me in here!