President’s
Perspective Debbie Atkinson AAEA Board President Elementary Principal
The Power of Professional Friendships It is no secret that meaningful friendships are key to our personal well-being. Our basic human need for friendship provides us the sense of belonging, purpose, confidence, and satisfaction that we need. Often, we try to separate our professional world and our personal world, and we tend to try to keep our friendships in the personal category. The problem with this mentality is that our core needs do not change when we leave home and head to work. As you remember, Maslow reminds us that after our basic physiological and safety needs are met, we have those innate psychological needs, including friendship and relationships. The work week of all educators continues to expand, especially with the added responsibilities during this pandemic. Therefore, professional friendships are more critical than ever.
creatively solve mutual problems. Friends that challenge me. Friends that have become professional partners. Thank you for that! We all need people to share our lives with, but friendships are not just about enjoying good times together. Building meaningful friendships is critical to our overall well-being. I challenge you to consider your own relationships. Stop and be grateful for those you have and work hard at being that friend for others. May your friendships support you well during this spring semester.
“Work friendships make us feel safe, but they also help us perform at a higher level. Donald Clifton, the former educational psychologist who founded Gallup, found that these relationships are one of the strongest predictors of productivity. Gallup research has found that those who have strong work relationships are more engaged, produce higher-quality work, and have a higher state of well-being.” (Dan Schawbel with Future Workplace) I am more aware now, than ever before, of the blessings that I have in my own friendships, both personally and professionally. My involvement in AAEA has gifted me with some of the best professional friends. Friends that encourage and teach me. Friends that collaboratively and
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