So, what should I do?
[October 29, 2008]
I’ve been doing a lot of speaking and training events recently. Far and away, my favorite part of any event is meeting fellow educators and hearing your stories. Whether I’m consulting with staff in a particular school or giving a more general presentation at a conference, participants inevitably linger in the room to tell me their amazing stories. Some of the stories are uplifting and energizing—stories about wonderful schools full of hopeful teachers in a positive work environment. But more often than not, I also hear from educators who want to share their stories of struggle and hardship. However energized they may be by a presentation about improved workplace climate, they still feel stuck. Often their stories end with the question, “So, what do you think I should do?”
Last week I spoke at the Education Minnesota’s annual conference, hosted by the Minnesota teachers’ union. After my presentation, I spoke with a young woman who has been teaching for four years. In her own words, she said she’s presently teaching in the most “carcinogenic environment” imaginable. After only four years, she’s feeling like there’s no hope. She has tried to bring about change in her school. She has advocated for justice for herself and her colleagues. But her question really was this: Do I need to leave this school, or do I need to leave the profession?
What a question. We didn’t have long to speak, but I didn’t want to give her a pat response. First I suggested that she figure out how she’s going to get herself through this year without completely burning out. Does she have colleagues to whom she can turn for the hope, energy, and support she needs? Are there daily, systemic issues she and her colleagues can work through that will improve her ongoing experience of teaching in her building?
Next I asked her to consider the things she controls personally. Are there concrete measures she can take to keep herself and her happiness intact? Is she resting enough? Pursuing meaningful personal interests? Spending adequate time with friends and loved ones?
This woman’s story illustrated a difficult reality that, unfortunately, many educators face. My hope is that one poor school loses this good teacher rather than her burning out and leaving the profession altogether. But at the end of the day, the answer to her question will be hers and hers alone.
I hope that this young woman can do more than just “survive” this year. I hope she and her coworkers are able to effect change that improves their daily reality. And above all, I hope she can find opportunities that renew her passion for teaching.
I want to hear from you!
A New Golden Rule?
[October 22, 2008]Let’s start this conversation with the following question: What might happen to your job satisfaction if you inverted the Golden Rule? In other words, imagine what would happen if you and your colleagues operated under this mantra:
DO UNTO YOURSELF AS YOU WOULD DO UNTO OTHERS.
What happens when we’re as good to ourselves as we are to our students? What happens when we’re as insistent about issues of equity and justice in our dealings with educators as we are with students? What would change in your school and in your life if you adopted this outlook?
This site is a place for you to join with others who are looking at themselves and their work differently, who are working toward the following balance: taking care of yourself and your colleagues so that you are able to be better resources for your students.
So come to share your stories, questions, frustrations, ideas, and successes. Come to share your own answer to, “How was your day at school?”
I want to hear from you!
