Fostering Effective Relationships

​Alberta’s Leadership Quality Standard outlines that “A leader builds positive working relationships with members of the school community and local community." 

​"A climate of trust and respect must be established and nurtured."
 John G. Gabriel

What others have to say:

• "I want to thank you for all your support these last few months and this school year. We are a great team at IREC and I am so blessed to work with you."
• "Vicky is amazing, she has come into my class and support me in incorporating the Daily 5 structure into my first grade classroom. She was patient and energetic through out the process allowing me time to absorb and work with my new learning."
• "Vicky effectively builds positive relationships with all stakeholders that continually renews trust. She is positive friendly and welcoming everyday."
• "I appreciate your gentle, very generous, and open spirit."
• "Vicky's classroom is amazing and her teaching is incredibly inspiring. Her positive attitude and spirit are a great attribute to this staff!"
• You have a wonderful way of making a difference in the lives of our students."
• "People matter to Vicky. Her genuine interest in others builds relationships which foster sharing, productivity, empathy and humor. Once established, she makes a point of maintaining the connections she has formed with others."
• "Vicky is easy to approach for help of any kind. She willingly shares her knowledge in a kind and supportive way."
• "Vicky is warm and empathetic to both staff and students."
• "Thank you for all you have done this year - for your leadership & support. We've has some trying days this year and we could not have got through without the support of our team."

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I continue to develop Effective Relationships by making other people feel valued and appreciated. 

• It is important for me to work on myself so that I can be the best for others. I do this through working with the  7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This practice allows me to reflect on both the private and  public victories.
•  I Build Trust by getting to know staff, students and families on a personal level: Taking time each day to talk to students and parent in the hallway, greeting them at the front door upon arrival, walking the hallways to greet teachers and stopping in rooms to say good morning. All of these allow me to have time to listen to the fantastic people who make up our school community. These informal conversations allow me the chance to listen to seek understanding. Listening is the most important skill in building trust. People need to feel heard and feel valued. Having had the opportunity to be trained in 7 Habits and Cognitive Coaching these skill help me to continue to master the skills in fostering relationships.
• Examples of these are: 
  • Trained trainer for 7 Habits of Effective People - I have co-facilitated the training of our staff
  • Have attended many Dr. Jody Carrington sessions and live by the idea of "we are here to walk each other home" into my daily life both personally and professionally. 
  • Check in with teachers in there classrooms in the morning, making myself available to asking question or seeking clarity.
  • Morning leadership awards (positive) phone calls home with the daily announcements, students also participate by doing the snack attack announcement
  • Supervision inside or out - provides time for conversations with kids
  • Greeting parents and students in the morning and saying good bye at the end of the day.
  • Classroom walk throughs and conversations with students about their learning
  • Participating in school wide events
  • Leading the Main Event at assemblies
  • Work with the other Iron Ridge Campuses to work on scheduling for shared staff and to make the transition from the Elementary Campus to the Intermediate Campus. We work together to provide students opportunities to meet the administration, tour the campus and take part in sports day. 
  • Attending community events like parades, Canada Day, street dances, dance recitals, swimming at the local pool, recognition awards.
  • Using social media to celebrate the greatness that is happening in our school and to learn from powerful PLTs inside and outside of our division. My twitter account is @sahlinvic I also co-operate the school twitter account @IREC1 and the school Facebook page Iron Ridge Elementary Campus. 
  • ​Using our social media platform to promote other schools in our division, especially the other campuses in out town. 
  • Host and attend staff functions
  • Celebrate accomplishments at staff meetings during our Thank Yous section and on an informal and formal basis throughout the year. 
  • Connect with the world around us to model communication, friendship skills, empathy and growing beyond the community. 
  • I answer communication in a timely manner​