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As a first year teacher I was the youngest teacher at my school by several decades. The biggest challenge I faced was that the teachers I worked most closely with, including my mentor, were all close to retirement and completely uninterested in expanding their teaching skills. They were especially resistant to incorporating technology, and pushed back against my efforts to do so.

I didn't handle these challenges well at the time, but my advice to anyone in that situation now would be to acknowledge the value in their experience and listen carefully to what they're saying. Most often there is real value in what they're saying, even if they're not saying it as effectively as you'd like. Sometimes, there is a hidden message in there as well. For instance, I eventually realized that a lot of the push-back I was getting from my mentor was because she was uncomfortable with computers and tablets and felt threatened by the attention I was getting for branching out into technology. My mentor did eventually allow me to coach her through using computers and tablets, and after my 4th year of teaching she retired. We're still good friends today!

-Curtis Donohue

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For six years, I worked with a veteran co-teacher who was near retirement. She was an excellent teacher, but struggled with all of the technology that we were required to use. I found that most of our common planning time was spent with me trying to teach her how to use an online program. This was not the best use of time, so I eventually made her a cheat sheet for some of the most commonly used tech tools. She was very thankful for this support and it allowed us to focus more on planning and helping students. Overall, I believe that open lines of communication os the best piece of advice for working with veteran teachers.

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I'm a coach and I was once told that I shouldn't try to work with one of the VTs, because they wouldn't change how they've been teaching since they've been teaching so long.  I built a relationship with this teacher and got to know their story and history for the past couple decades and decided to work closely with them the next year.  This teacher has been one of the most reflective thought partners who consistently reaches out for feedback and has shifted teaching practices based on student needs. The collaboration between team members is stronger than ever and the VT feels more confident and their voice is heard more than it has been in the past few years.
Honesty, trust, and respect created an environment for this VT to shine and feel valued.

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The first person that comes to mind is the veteran music teacher who had been at my school for 20 plus years when I started.  She was terrifying!  I knew she would be someone that I could go to for support, but I was always so afraid of not fitting in with her mold that I ended up finding other people.  Later on, we became great colleagues and friends and we exchanged ideas frequently.  I think sometimes veteran teachers get a bad rap for being so stuck in their ways or unapproachable, yet this is not (usually) the case.  They are certainly a wealth of knowledge and can be so incredibly helpful, especially with classroom management tips for new teachers.

I think finding ways to respect their views and really understand and engage with them can be really helpful.  With new initiatives, try to include veteran teachers so they don't feel they are being 'replaced' by a younger generation, and so they too have buy-in with new initiatives.
-Nicole

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I think one of the challenges when facing with a veteran teacher is that when they have worked on a curriculum that worked for them for a long time, they are not willing to take the risk sometimes to change/tweak it a little. For instance, contemporary subjects and finding topics that are related to now rather than then. I agree with Ms. Briggs where just because one can think it is "out of date" doesn't mean it doesn't work. One tip coming from that is to collaborate and be able to be open-minded for ways to still use it but in a different way. Having different ideas from others as well as finding various resources could be a method to work with a veteran teacher.
-Rachel

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Veteran teachers are often the most under utilized resource in our buildings. The challenge I first faced with a VT as a first year coach was her impression that coaching was about telling her what to do.  I took the time to build a relationship first, participate in her classroom as a learner.  I built a collaborative, trusting relationship where she saw our work as learning alongside one another. Feeling valued and respected are imperative.

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I believe, that sometimes VT get lumped into a category of being "out of date". We all know that what school looks like changes so frequently. We constantly are getting new ideas, strategies, and practices to support our students. At times, I think we forget that the "out of date" doesn't mean "doesn't work." Team members need to embrace all different learning approaches and strategies even if it isn't the one they prefer. The best tool to learn is by listening to those around you. Having opportunities, such as PLC's and staff development allow for shared idea thinking. VT are a great resource in a variety of ways and should not be thought of as "out of date".

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Full transparency here, I have learned lessons about coaching veteran teachers the hard way.  Reflecting on my experience joining a new county at a school with a very established staff, what I thought were ways to add value definitely came across more "bull in china shop" style.  Over the past few years I've done a lot of backtracking to make better connections, understand the back story of our teachers, and (not surprisingly) have been able to find much common ground with teachers that I didn't initially hit it off with.  Taking the time to hear their stories, both personal and professional, allowed me to make these connections.  In letting these teachers in to my stories, it has helped them to do the same, and allowed us to find that commonality.  That partnership really does go a long way in all parties having an open mind to try things, find things to celebrate, and learning to value differing styles.  Now, there is a mutual respect and understanding...I just wish I had read Fierce Conversations years ago! ;)

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I am impressed by your commentary here...and a great way to share out participation among your teammates in regards to the article!

I find it so vital to continually celebrate our veteran staff and align them with continued ways to support our new educators, share successes with faculty/staff, and work with their administration to continually grow professionally to impact our students in as many ways as possible. We are always imperfect...even as great as we may become with the many years we gather behind us in experience. There is always room for growth...and the best of veteran teachers maintain that lifelong love of learning and growth!

I hope you are enjoying FIERCE CONVERSATIONS. That book provides some great ways to try to re-energize our veterans who may focus on the glass as half empty rather than full...and this happens in many professional organizations aside from education as well. It is vital to include the perspectives of our tougher teachers when making decisions about potential adjustments/changes so they feel included...and might gain insight into vantage points that may go unnoticed otherwise.

Thank you for your awesome work here! :)

- Dr. Di Nicola

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It is so important to create strong links between educational professionals in order to share expertise, best practices, and encourage general support of each other. Veteran teachers are a key asset to any educational setting, but their talents and expertise can only fully be utilized for the benefits of all students when a school climate focuses on connections, respect, and interdependence.
-N. Hartman

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Utilize Veteran Teachers as Teacher Leaders

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Utilize Veteran Teachers as Teacher Leaders

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Provide opportunities for veteran teachers to showcase strategies or lessons for staff, especially those which are not commonplace in other classrooms. This might be accomplished at the grade level, department level or school level. S. Hawn

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Respecting the experiences and expertise of veteran teachers is vital. VT have so much to offer, therefore providing leader opportunities will aid in their continued growth and keep their commitment to teaching strong. -Dakota Gagliardi

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I found that it is helpful to figure out what veteran teachers value and connect them to areas of interest. If a coach is able to establish some credibility in an area that’s been historically a problem of practice and takes a collaborative stance, then an inquiry cycle might be welcome to positively impact student needs.  J Duvel