How beautiful this is from Jody, our Maréchale of the Western Forces:
I notice how easily we “change course” trying to manage our own personalities, histories, perceived weaknesses, anxiety/fears about our job security, etc., and end up fogging up our main mission–to deliver CI to our students in a humane and compassionate setting for them and for us. I remember all of the years I attended FL conferences searching for the “magic bullet” activities which would keep my students happy and me looking good–with a little language learning thrown in for good measure. No rudder, no guts, but no more.
It requires so much strength to stay the course when in the minority–more reason to band together, get really good at what we do, and to deeply understand the foundations of the work.
Of course, I am responding here with my own personality, history, worries, etc. Each person in this struggle will find their own niche, purpose, and path.
I think we should name ourselves “The Round World Group”. I can no longer see my work through the “flat world lense” no matter how many people believe it’s flat. There is no going back for me. Hard to explain to people who think I should take any job, in any place, and use any textbook to teach language. No way.