Building and Sustaining Trusting Relationships During Transition: A Curious Case of an Urban Elementary School

• In Event: 45.092 - MTCC Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: 45.092-11 - Lives of Teachers SIG Roundtable: Responsive and Inclusive Teaching

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate how teachers in an urban elementary school go through the transition of administrators change. In particular, this study focuses on unpacking the trust building process among teachers. Surveys from 27 teachers showed a positive sense of efficacy, social capital, resilience, and emotions, despite the challenge of transition and instability. In order to further investigate this unexpected finding, individual interviews were conducted. Interviews revealed that teachers’ trusting relationships helped them to withstand the challenging transition by providing a stable and safe space where teachers can learn and grow. Also, teachers were able to build and sustain trusting relationships by sharing common goals and vision, emotional safety and comfort, and beliefs in colleagues’ competence.

Authors

• Ji Yeon Hong, University of Oklahoma

• Dionne Indera Cross Francis, Indiana University

• Qian Wang, The University of Oklahoma

• Laura A. Lewis, University of Oklahoma

• Alexandra Parsons, University of Oklahoma

• Crystal Diane Neill, University of Oklahoma