Page 29 - ELG2312 Dec Issue 487

FEATURE

to identify the start, the roots, some hidden Inspired by my observations on ecosystems, concept an easy target for being dismissed by
or quiescent signs of negative management a few years back, I decided to conduct those who do not take the trouble to engage
before it’s too late. a small-scale survey among teachers meaningfully with what well-being truly
Recent years have forced us to become who worked in different contexts across represents.’
familiar with some microbiology jargon Europe. I asked them to define bad or good With that in mind, what can we do to
and vocabulary related to viruses, and management. One might expect that the prevent pathogens from spreading? The
most of you will be familiar with the teachers’ responses would mainly focus on analogy with virus reservoirs may again offer
concept of spillover. In simple terms, a ensuring organised, streamlined procedures, some solutions. And just like for scientists,
spillover is the phenomenon that occurs clarity of information, and on management reflection and observation are the first steps
when a pathogen moves away from a styles, such as whether their managers acted to finding a solution. A few questions we
‘reservoir’ species – a species that keeps it as motivators rather than authorities. Some might want to start with when observing are:
alive without any symptoms – to another responses of that sort were indeed present. 1) Have our colleagues manifested fatigue or
species that will develop symptoms. The However, interestingly enough, what teachers stress that we can’t read? 2) Have we found
interesting aspect is the fact that the host, seemed to focus on was their coordinators’ ourselves reflecting on power dynamics in
the reservoir species, keeps the virus alive ability to listen, to be empathetic, to create our ecosystem? 3) Have you had the chance
without being affected. a positive work environment. What some to survey your staff? 4) Are we sometimes
The analogy with the educational teachers noticed in their open answers was the host?
context becomes apparent if one starts that they could not quite identify what or Evidently, the last question is the one that
studying staff room dynamics like scientists where the problem was, but they knew they requires the most honest and urgent answer.
observe ecosystems: when staff wellbeing had suddenly started feeling that their school
seems to decrease abruptly and appear context was becoming less healthy and that
at risk, an observer might wonder where their academic managers were sometimes Giovanni Licata is an
the problem originated and when/how it passive-aggressive. English language expert at
started. The answer to this question is not So, why are we often preoccupied the University of Florence,
always apparent, not necessarily univocal, and consumed by certain aspects of our and a Cambridge CELTA
and not always readily available, since the educational environments and not others? and Delta trainer. Having
host or hosts will not show any symptoms Saarah Mercer, an inspirational author worked in schools across
of the virus when it starts spreading. Hosts when it comes to teacher wellbeing, gives Europe, Asia and the US,
are not necessarily academic managers a possible answer as she clarifies that the he has developed an interest in sociolinguistics as
or coordinators; yet, similarly to any vagueness surrounding the definition of well as teacher and learner identities in the ELT
ecosystem, the species that have more wellbeing generates the absence of clear and classroom. He is joint coordinator of the IATEFL
contact or impact on the system itself tend strong messages to protect it. In Mercer’s IP&SEN special interest group.
to cause more damage. words: ‘this lack of clarity has made the

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