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Unprecedented 2
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1 thought on “Unprecedented 2”
We must all live in reality.
Reality #1: Most of us need our jobs. We need them to pay bills, put food on the table, have health insurance, etc.
Reality #2: We are not the boss. We may think so, because traditionally principals have stayed out of classrooms, but we are not. There is a hierarchy and we are not at the top of the food chain.
Reality #3: When the boss isn’t happy, no one is happy. Blaine said at a workshop once that his principal told him that a teacher’s number one responsibility was to teach so that parents never, ever called the principal. Number one. I found it horrifying that an administrator would say that, and in some ways still do. However, that is about as real as it gets. From an administrator’s perspective the world is often black and white. Through that lens, if a parent is unhappy then we are doing something wrong. Period. Administrators also have an enormous amount of stress on them right now that is new and different. They too are human. They will not react well to more drama, chaos or work in their lives. Whether we like it, or agree with it, or not…when the boss is happy, our lives are easier in many ways.
Reality #4: The time’s they are a’changin’…and it’s damn hard to keep up with. On one hand the data-driven phenomenon is now a hard and fast structural component in education. On the other hand, great minds, including some politicians, educators and parents, are fighting very very hard to make it go away. Both waves are strong and we are caught in the riptide. Truth is that nothing is going to change for good any time soon. We have to find a way to keep our heads above water.
Reality #5: We can only do what we can, when we can, in the world in which we live. The best way to do that is to keep in touch with ourselves and what our physical and mental health is telling us about what we are doing. If we are depressed, anxious, ill, exhausted, etc., then what we are doing right this moment is not working and we must adapt. The next best way to keep in touch with others so that we are not alone in our exhaustion, pain and frustration. Other people can help us to find a more balanced perspective and treat us with the love and care that we so often deny ourselves.
On Sundays I’ve taken leaving my television on the OWN (Oprah’s) channel. There is a day-long theme called “Super Soul Sundays” featuring conversations with some of the most amazing people. Today, so far, I’ve caught moments from Elie Weisel, Ekhart Toile, Marianne Williamson and Sidney Poitier. This line really hit me:
“The younger generation knows the most about the things that change. The older generation knows the most about the things that don’t.” (Marianne Williamson)
I keep thinking about how apt this is for teaching, where, in one building, we have several generations working together. Or in this case, one blog.
Thanks to all of you who keep my head above water.
with love,
Laurie