Reina thinks her new colleague, Bart, is a rude man. Fortunately, they have little to do with each other. Until…. the annual school camp. Reina has been doing this with great pleasure for years. Bart also registers for the organization. The principal decides, without consultation, that Bart and Reina should work together. It’s time for new ideas. Reina is furious. Bart bombards her with e-mails about his plans. Reina doesn’t respond. It soon becomes clear that Reina and Bart cannot agree on anything. In desperation, the director proposes the Conflict Coach, because if things continue like this, there will soon be no school camp at all! Bart and Reina reluctantly agree to give it a try.
The Conflict Coach notices that the two teachers really don’t like each other and asks if they can think of a common interest to solve this issue. Reina and Bart decide that they would both be very sorry if their quarrel would prevent the students from going to school camp. In the interest of the students, they want to do their best to resolve the issue.
It is agreed that Reina and Bart will not interrupt, curse or yell at each other during the sessions. In spite of this agreement, Bart and Reina start to explain emotionally, with raised voices, what the other is doing wrong. The situation threatens to escalate, as usual. By listening carefully, summarizing and “translating” the emotions into more neutral words, the Conflict Coach brings the peace back. Previously, Reina and Bart would not let each other finish or Reina would just walk away. Now that they finally manage to talk to each other again, it becomes clear what their differences are. Reina feels overwhelmed by the extraverted Bart and has closed herself off. She also felt passed over by the director, who seemed to say she was old-fashioned. Bart now understands why his emails are not being answered and says that he wanted to participate in the school camp because she made it such a success. Reina feels respected and the first step towards a solution is made. They agree to email less and to talk to each other in person more often. Next comes the school camp.
Reina and Bart actually think the same thing: “Only I know how to organize a good school camp and you don’t understand anything”. The Conflict Coach has Reina and Bart sum up what each of them means when they say what “a good school camp” is. Once it is all written down they come to the conclusion that they actually agree on many points! However there is one issue that divides them still. Bart wants to serve alcohol and Reina is absolutely against this. Reina calls Bart irresponsible, Bart calls Reina prudish and old fashioned and the argument flares up again…. . Specific questioning by the Conflict Coach makes it clear WHY Reina is so against alcohol. A student once had an accident after drinking at camp and she never wants to experience this again. Bart is shocked by this news and says he obviously doesn’t want that either. But on the other hand he wants to prepare the students for the real world, let them try out some things in a safe environment. Reina agrees that this is important. Now that it is clear that they want the same, but have different perspectives, Reina and Bart can come up with solutions together. Reina and Bart start to brainstorm and negotiate. They agree on a number of security measures. Good information is given in advance about alcohol and drugs. During the camp, limited beer and wine will be available in the evening, as well as festive cocktails without alcohol. Students are not allowed to bring alcohol to the camp themselves. Bart and Reina will never be close friends, but they can now work together better and the camp turns out to be a huge success.
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