We've made it to the final installment of this series of articles about the current condition of the educational system in the United States. I realize that, with a total of 29 issues that are cracking that system, I've probably just broken the surface. I also understand that it continues to be an uphill battle against government red tape, local misinterpretation, and shifting societal norms. Still, it helps to understand what we're up against, and it helps to communicate the concerns that plague us. With no further ado, let's explore the last four of these before putting the subject to bed (for now): |
- No matter what, teachers believe the grass is greener elsewhere. Either you're in a school that prides itself on its culture, the effectiveness of teachers, and the drive of the students, or you're not. We often do not recognize our own achievements because we're too busy looking to larger or more colorful districts. We look at what other teachers and schools are doing on Pinterest or trending social media posts, and we fail to see the efforts that are being pulled off right under our noses. We don't realize that others could be looking at us with the same green envy. When this is done at the district level, look out! Programs that have been adopted by other districts will start showing up as non-negotiables in your own. After all, that district is larger and has more resources, so they must know better than we. Right? That school made newspaper headlines with their successes, so it stands to reason that we will do the same. Right? Wrong! Why can't we be creative enough to solve our own problems? Sometimes it is perfectly acceptable to re-invent the wheel! We might just find that our new wheels finally get our cars off the ground.
- Employees are only allowed to use the district talking points. I can't stand when a corporation, a store, or a school doesn't trust its employees to be positive. If you want me to talk up the school or something we're doing within the walls of the school, you'll make sure that what we're doing makes me want to talk it up. I don't want to be the spin doctor for the district. I was not hired as a public relations officer or spokesman for the school; I was hired to teach. As such, people will come to me to garner my opinion about educational events and issues, and I will continue to be honest with my responses. You do not have the right to ask me to lie, gloss over, or cover up something, and if I don't agree with something that the school is trying, it should be OK to disagree with it - yes, even publicly. Patrons deserve the honesty and teachers deserve the trust of the administration.
- Dissent is waved off. Similarly, I should be able to voice my dissent to my peers and my bosses. Principals, superintendents, and school board members need to have thick enough skin to realize that their underlings might just have something to contribute to the conversation. In fact, we might be able to tweak your ideas and goals, and we might just have a better idea altogether. No person in a position of authority should be so weak as to believe they have to shut down dissent. It is that dissent that could stop a school from falling into a great big hole. Administrators and legislators do not have to surround themselves with sycophantic minions; instead, they should welcome opposing and challenging views. Only then will difficult issues be solved. It might be more difficult, and it might take longer, but it just could be worth it.
- Administrators are scared of litigation and sunshine laws. Finally, there comes a time when the system collapses because of fear. Here is probably the largest challenge of the 21st Century to date. With Cancel Culture running rampant, false information being openly touted on social media, and real news being labeled as fake, people are afraid of being sued - no only by individuals with an ax to grind, but also by social justice organizations looking for more power by publicly castigating schools for moving an inch too far to the right or to the left. What are schools to do about it? The truth is, many of the suits filed are publicity stunts, and they might just catch up to all of us in the long run. So at some point, we just have to do what we can do to the best of our ability and deal with the cookies as they crumble. There's really not anything we can do to avoid these types of issues, and we just can't be afraid that every little movement we make might be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
This is quite a list, and many of the bullet points do seem to weave into others. The point is made in order to emphasize the cracking system. Is it possible to tape up the cracks or rebuild the system and make it better? I give you a resounding, "Maybe!" It has broken before, and it may be on the verge of snapping apart again, but it doesn't have to if people will realize that there are better attitudes and approaches that can get education back on track in the United States. We should be the envy of the world, but I'm afraid that often we receive laughter and scorn instead. Why not work together to build a better world?