Part 6-THE BASICS OF TEACHER TEAM BUILDING-The Elevator Test

A friend of mine introduced me to this approach to see which type fits you.  

The elevator doors are about to close on an eager rider who is trying to get on the elevator.  Four people are already inside the elevator.  One of the people in the crowded box is in a hurry and does not want to wait (DIRECTOR).  There is also a bubbly, energetic passenger who holds the door open while greeting the newcomer (SOCIALIZER).  A third rider is happy either way and smiles while waiting patiently (PEACEMAKER).  The final passenger is concerned as she calculates the weight to see if the elevator can handle another person (ANAYLZER).

While not perfectly scientific, this scenario depicts in broad-brush strokes:

• the Director (outgoing/task-oriented) person who is focused on getting somewhere fast.
• the Socializer (outgoing and people-oriented) person who is energized by all the interaction
• the Peacemaker (reserved/people-oriented) person who reacts calmly and tries to get along regardless
• the Analyzer (reserved/task-oriented) person who wants to make sure the added person doesn’t exceed the weight limit!

As you can see, there were four different people who responded to the same event in four very different ways!

I don’t know about you, but most meetings I have experienced were heavy, stuffy, downright boring and borderline depressing.  I think as a Team Builder Presenter, particularly if we’re coming from outside your school, we have the license to be oddballs and to do things that get people loosened up, lightened up, out of their routine and into their soulful potential as infinitely creative and inspired beings.  We can give our participants permission to find joy in their work.

And most of you have probably discovered that it’s when you’re feeling light and joyful that you’re most inspired and creative ideas and solutions come forward.  My goal is to energize teachers by learn by doing, very interactive format that will leave you with a renewed spirit of unity, accountability, optimism, enthusiasm and most of all, smiles!  All of which, turbo charge productivity!!!  So, these fun and challenging team-building exercises is not your typical teacher in-service program!!!

 *Note: Extraordinary things happen when people are smiling and laughing.

Here are some ideas to try!

1. CANDY CONFESSIONS –This edible and fun team-building exercise has been used in school districts across the country.  Have each teacher choose three pieces of candy from a variety of candies that are displayed on the table.  Once they have chosen their favorites put up the following chart.

                 Candy Confession Chart:

                            Chocolate Kisses = Number of years teaching

                            M&M’s = Where you live

                            Gum = Information about your family

                            Sweet Tarts = Favorite movie

                            Kit Kat = Share anything

Have each staff take turns using the chart to speak to the rest of their staff about themselves.  This activity is a fun way to eat, share and bond.

2. PLEASE LINE UP – This ridiculously hard, but fun team-building activity is a great way for teachers to quickly learn each other’s names.  Tell teachers that they have three minutes to line up alphabetically by last name.  Then tell them they must line up without speaking to one another.  This sounds next to impossible, right?  Well it isn’t.  There are usually at least one or two familiar faces that know each other to help get the line started. Then, from there, teachers will use hand gestures or whatever else they can think of to quickly get in line.

3. SILENT SHUFFLE – Divide the group into teams of 5 people or more.  Explain that you will give instructions for the groups to line up in a particular order.  Each group needs to get into their order as rapidly as possible and then clap when done.  (If you want to make this a competitive activity, each team receives a point whenever they finish first.). It is a good idea to start with basic, non-threatening instructions for the first few line-up choices (i.e. shortest to tallest, or length of time with school). You can make these line-ups as complicated or simple as you like.

4. CENTER SCAVENGER HUNT – Hide a prize in the center.  When teachers arrive in the morning give them a clue (each teacher or each classroom team).  You can either give them a clue that leads to another clue or give them clues every hour that give them more and more details as to the prize location.  If you have clues lead to other clues, be sure no one takes the clues so all staff can play.

Part 7 – WHAT ARE SOME STAFF MOTIVATION/MORALE-BUILDING IDEAS