Soooo… I have decided to share some thoughts and for you readers, (not sure there are enough of you to say readers) I fear this entry will be a bit all over the place! Perhaps similar to conversations you have had with me in person? Insert shit eating grin here…I have become acutely aware of how much I rely on emojis!!
I am not sure what has pushed me to share these thoughts - perhaps an unpleasant “school” dream I had last night, and maybe a text chat with a colleague? Maybe spending time in a classroom in another country…
I loved being a teacher. I loved being in the band room. I loved being silly with my students and also trying hard to inspire them to reach their absolute best and create something beautiful. I’d like to think I did this on more than one occasion.
There are always problems no matter where you work. Unfortunately, everyone's an expert when it comes to school - because - everyone went to school! Credit this one to my husband - along with “just because you can drive a car, doesn't mean you know how to fix it”. I think perceptions about how issues in education should be dealt with, have to be influenced by people’s own experiences. There is no way around it. Having said that - even if someone’s experience was less than stellar, if they have an open mind and have had experience travelling or listening to others - I do believe that even they can have a rational opinion or idea about education.
Schools and school divisions can be highly functional and successful. I experienced this a great deal over my 33 years of teaching. I have also experienced the exact opposite. And that is difficult - for everyone…
My favourite years of teaching involved an environment of trust, good communication, teamwork, support, mutual respect and accountability. It did NOT involve egos or undermining each other. That is not to say that everyone saw eye to eye - not at all. Professionalism…
More importantly, it is hard to have a work environment like the one I describe here, without good leadership and communication. In fact I’d say it is impossible. If you do not have leadership with a vision for the school it cannot function properly and will soon start to deteriorate.
Although the leadership styles I encountered during these positive and productive years differed, the underlying tone was the same. There was support for students and teachers and the atmosphere was positive and there was trust. What these leaders all had in common was integrity.
As far as “discipline” or being punitive goes… things have changed dramatically. I myself evolved from a more 80’s approach to kiddos with difficulties over the years. Becoming a mother also gave me a new found sensitivity to kids who were struggling. But - tossing around the word “discipline” and assuming that anytime you hold a child accountable you are being “punitive” is ridiculous!! The answer to adapting the “old ways” to be more student centred does not mean students need teachers to be their best friends and it certainly does not mean that they should be allowed to do whatever they want. Every child deserves to learn in a safe and structured classroom.
I just decided to write this here so my thoughts aren’t jumping quite so much. If children are not supposed to experience a punitive and fear based environment at school, surely the adults working with them are due the same courtesy? Honestly - for a 5ish year period of my career, there was immense fear among the adults in the building. That is not okay and I believe it lingers today.
When I started teaching in Alberta (majority of my career) there were one or two educational assistants (EA’s) and their role was to support students with mental and emotional challenges as well as help kids who struggled with learning. Fast forward ten years and we had a healthy number of EA’s who continued to do this but were spread less thin. Now - we have several EA’s who spend all of their time dealing with behavioural issues and they are not always supported or treated as equals when treated with a lack of respect or complete defiance by students.
I think another reason I felt like sharing my thoughts is because I was thinking on my most recent flight, about “initiatives”. Here is a spot where I take a turn in my thoughts - try to follow along! If you are a seasoned teacher or have spent any time in education you cringe when you hear this word!! Another new idea that will fix everything in the classroom and impact students directly. Right.
It is here that I need to say that there have been some great initiatives over the years. I was privileged to attend a BE THE CHANGE session with colleagues and students. What a fabulous program. I also had the opportunity to attend a Renaissance (school spirit/leadership) conference. Both were soooo inspiring. If you know me, you know that when I am inspired I have the energy of - well - the ENERGIZER BUNNY. Sadly, my bubble can burst way too easily and I seem to think everyone can see what is inside my head and I can’t understand why they can’t! LOL (no emojis - sorry).
I have also seen an excellent “initiative” stopped cold because somebody new came in and had their own idea… yeesh! And you wonder why people working in education become jaded after a couple of decades.
But here is the deal…. I don’t care how GREAT the initiative is - there needs to be follow through. My husband has always said that “if medicine was run like education, everyone would be dead”! Instead of jumping on the “next big thing” perhaps it would behove us to make sure it can be done effectively?? Seriously - here is the idea (initiative) - here is an afternoon of training - result - people are excited - perhaps even enthusiastic?
Do we have money? Is there time in our schedule to implement it? What resources are there? YUP - and there goes another “initiative” down the drain! Honestly?! How frustrating (refer here to the “no wonder we become jaded” comment). Sigh…
Worse than “initiatives” per se, is the idea (from those not in a classroom or school for that matter), that whatever it is (new program, new speaker, new director) - is WHAT students need to be successful. NOPE. If we do this program or hire this person (who will not be in the actual school) it will positively benefit all students. It is - what’s best for students. There are simply not enough emojis for what is in my head after that sentence!!!
I have worked with SOOOOOOOOOOO (purposefully hyperbolic) many amazing people in my teaching career. I have been inspired by teachers, EA’s, office staff, librarians, custodians and administrators. Okay, I think I am rambling and need to save the rest of my thoughts for another time.
Here is what I know. Kids deserve GOOD teachers who care about them and provide STRUCTURE for them. Kids deserve to feel success and they deserve to be supported. Kids should NOT fall through the cracks.PERIOD.
Teachers (even good teachers) need mentorship and to continue to learn. Teachers make mistakes. Teachers need to know that if they are struggling in their classroom or with a student or students, they can reach out and they will be supported. Just because it is not on the security camera, doesn't mean it didn’t happen. TRUST.
BOOTS on the GROUND. The m
I am an idealist and it is not easy to be an idealist. I was told once by a superior that a colleague had to leave a table because I was being negative. Was I? Or was I simply fighting for what I thought students and education needed. Needless to say, this person should have spoken to me in person.
I have suffered for speaking my mind and standing up for what I think is right (not always what is actually right) and I am not sorry for it. I am not. Because some people can speak up and some cannot - it is not in their nature. So I believe that it is up to the people who can, no matter how difficult, to do so. And over the years, rightly or wrongly, I am proud of when and where I took a stand.
Integrity matters.
DO WHAT IS RIGHT - NOT EASY!!
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