From time to time, we share relevant conversations from our Balfour Advisers Facebook group. This post focuses on staff management for advisers at a new school. Some comments have been edited for space and grammar.
Being an adviser can be incredibly rewarding and challenging. Those challenges are elevated when taking over a yearbook program. Veteran advisers recently weighed in on how to win over the staff and keep your sanity the first year at a new school.
“Food wins the staff. The first year is always hard. [There’s a] learning curve and even if the past adviser was an ‘ogre’ now he/she has risen to god status.” –Melissa Reagan, Deer Valley High School
“We are having donuts the first Friday of every month! We did the Delicious Design lesson, and that was a huge hit and got lots of buy in! The kids like food!” –Kyla Scelzi, Davidson Middle School
I did the edible layouts [recently]. It was a HUGE hit. I posted it on our social media and kids from my other classes came in asking about it. I also go shoot photography with them. We wandered around the school for two class periods (we're double blocked) one day and shot a volleyball tournament another day. They loved it!” –Regina DeDominicis, Wills Point High School
“During my first year, I allowed my editors to teach how the class works and should be run. I took all of their suggestions and backed them up with the rest of the staff. However, I did not do this the second year. I also cut the class from 23 to 16 before school started. Then it dropped to nine once some people failed. But everything got done and the book was amazing!”–Deanne-Jane Sumner, New Bern High School
“Whatever you do, don’t cave and try to be like their old adviser. You’ve got this! Snacks, persistence, and consistency won my kids over back when I started!” –Jade Joseph, Princeton High School
“Never badmouth their past adviser. Learn as you go. Ask them to explain things to you they are doing. Ask why a lot. Explain you are not and never will be their former beloved adviser, but you will love them and work with them and remind them you are NOT the enemy. I actually set a social contract with my staff. They make the rules. How do you want to be treated by each other, how do you want to be treated by me, how do you think I want to be treated? What does it look like? What do we do with someone who breaks contract? ALL staff signs it & refer back to that often.” –Bridget Robinson, Clear Creek High School
“My advice is to work with them the best you can. It will all change when you get your own kids and you prove you know what you’re doing. After about a half semester, none of my students ever mentioned the previous adviser and bought into what I was telling them.” –John Whitten, Mount Pleasant High School
“Have them each bring in a photo of themselves from the summer. Then randomly distribute them to each of the girls. Have them write a caption based on what they see. Then have them interview the person in the picture. Show them the ABCD method of writing captions and have them rewrite it. Highlight differences/improvement in the new caption. My kids love this and it’s an easy lesson to get them all involved.” –Jeff Diedrich, Kincaid Middle School
“All of the above, but keep in mind that this too shall pass. You will eventually have your own home grown staff. Your first year will probably be your toughest, and once you get past it, it’ll be a lot smoother. Take each moment one at a time and look for the small wins every day. They’ll add up quickly!” –Stephenie Conley, Bellevue East High School
“I had this problem too my first year. It was like September, and my Balfour rep, Ryan Almon, gave me a hug and said ‘Don't worry, it will be better next year.’ My jaw dropped. So yes, get through this one the best you can! And I'm sure you'll get some more great survival tips from other advisers!” –Laurie Haffelfinger, Crosby High School
“My first year was tough. Every year has gotten better. Six years in and I think this is my best staff yet.” –Jennifer Kunard, Texas City High School
“I asked the band director, who’s amazing, how long it was before he got his program where he wanted it to be, and he said 10 years. I’m on Year 6. I’m getting closer each year to having it run the way I want. You got this.” –Mindy Thierolf, Wamego High School
“Are the kids all getting along and on the same page about the book? I think team building helps a lot with that. Also, if you do not have deadlines, I put those in place this year so they know what is expected and I think that has helped a lot.” –Stephanie Cox, Woodcreek Middle School
“I had a very tough first year. One of the things I did was ask them to type a letter about what they were feeling, what I was doing wrong, how we could fix the situation. I was surprised that it wasn't so much me as how the group wasn't getting along. They were angry with each other, angry at the change, angry at everything, but no way to fix it. We started with some team building, lots of food, laughter. Little by little, we built it back up. If you need to cut those who won't go along, CUT THEM. You could put out a yearbook with six kids, no problem. But if you just cut the worst one, you'll have an easier time because, chances are, they want to give you a chance, they don't know how to buck the others. Don't ever bash the old adviser. Keep things positive. Keep smiling and don't let them know they're getting to you. From been there, screwed it up, now know better!” –Denise Adams, B.F. Terry High School
“Reading these responses are like re-living my early experiences. I am 14 years in, and I have loved it more as time goes on. It started out a little rocky at first, even though I was a former yearbook student at my alma mater and was hired to take over 10 years later, I felt lost for a good three years and had trouble finding the balance. It is a unique class, and the grading, personality mix, and responsibility designation are always the hardest parts. How do you measure a yearbook student’s contribution in comparison to the others? Some can design and organize like nobody’s business, but they can’t speak to an adult to sell an ad without a full-blown panic attack. Others can sell ketchup popsicles to a lady in white gloves, but they can’t remember what they have due on the deadline date. I have learned to emphasize the ‘family’ aspect of our class. We have ‘family meetings’ when I can tell there is thick tension and I have them write out their frustrations. I am the mediator, not the dictator, but I hope that by modeling communication, understanding and validation, I can show them how to resolve conflicts in life, even after high school. There is always some hill to climb every year, but I feel like we do better if we put our bond as a staff and our mutual goals first, and then let the rest go. It can be the most frustrating/amazing/irritating/enlightening/ maddening/fulfilling class you will ever teach!” –Amanda Neibhc, Frankfort Community High School
“I wish the previous adviser had prepared the returning staff to work with their new adviser. When I retired I talked to the ones returning and asked them to give the new person respect and a chance to learn. I also offered my help to the new adviser if she needed anything. Transitions are hard, but you’ve got this.” –Carole Babineaux, former Liberty High School adviser
“Don't be afraid to reach out to your rep and your AE. We want this to be a positive experience. BUT, [the Balfour Advisers Facebook group] is a great place to ask for help. The amount of experience of the advisers on here is crazy, and they are all so friendly and helpful!” –Catherine Simoneaux, Balfour Account Executive
