CONFLICTS IN THE TEACHING TEAM: ACTIONS OF THE SCHOOL MANAGER

Abstract

Conflicts within the teaching team can significantly affect the effectiveness and morale of teachers, which ultimately affects the quality of education provided to students. This article explores the role of the school manager in dealing with and preventing conflict between teachers within the school institution. The critical analysis of published research, as well as purposeful observations of pedagogical practice, are a good basis for this article to present reasons for the occurrence of conflicts in the pedagogical team. To outline adequate measures and effective strategies applied by school management to resolve conflicts. It also examines the role of the school manager as a mediator in conflicts between teachers. Ways to prevent conflicts in the pedagogical team from escalating are presented. The need to demonstrate fairness and impartiality in the resolution of one or other conflicts is emphasized. Special attention is directed to the activity of the school management after the resolution of the conflict situation, to its ability to facilitate reconciliation and cooperation after the conflict in the pedagogical team. The article points to the importance of reflection and the application of the reflexive approach in the process of evaluating the effectiveness of actions aimed at resolving conflicts and the corrections that, if necessary, should be made. Encouraging a culture of respect and cooperation has a significant place in preventing conflicts between team members, as well as promoting open communication between them. This enables the timely resolution of the conflict situation. Encouraging positive communication creates an environment where teachers feel comfortable voicing concerns, sharing ideas, and solving problems constructively. In this context, regular meetings of the teaching team and the provision of opportunities for feedback are useful. The article highlights the importance of organizing team-building activities and creating professional development opportunities that promote collaboration, trust and mutual respect among educators, strengthen relationships and prevent misunderstandings. Guidelines for dealing with conflicts in the teaching team, for their positive resolution, are specified, which leads to an improvement of the partnership among the teaching staff. The significance of the support given to teachers by the school management and the principal respectively in conflict management is summarized. This has a constructive effect on the overall effectiveness of teaching and learning in the school, as well as on strengthening the principal-pedagogical team relationship.