Woody sent me private e-mail and got me thinking ---shame on you Woody. It
is hard to do housework and not think -- I mean what's there to do? The
mind wanders at the humm/roar of the vacuum.
A "new" paradigm shift. Remember "Total quality management"? --- That is
when we were focusing on team work --- getting students to be held more
accountable and responsible for their learning and behavior.... I went to a
workshop on that many years ago -- that is where I got the "thinking
outside the box" and "paradigm shift".
Well --- that didn't work -- kids still didn't take control and learn --We
still didn't have all kiddies trying to get A's to make our schools look
good. So what happened? Proficiency tests and School Report cards -- So now
everyone knows how poorly our schools are doing....and look how awful those
teachers must be (We arty folks don't have as much to worry about here --
except for some states where there are Art Standards).
How is this for a switch -- Why not take a good look at administration?
Teachers often are trying their best --What is administration doing to try
to motivate teachers? Students perform better when their teachers are
excited about what they do (We know -- kids do well in art -- we love our
jobs). Why isn't more responsibility placed on the people who make the
higher salaries? Everyone knows in our district that it is the teachers
that make our building strong. We have a quality staff -- many teachers
have been in our building/district for a long time -- but moral is low.
There isn't much enthusiasm -- Oh I try to spice things up a bit from time
to time -- but that is not enough (ha-ha). If teachers are not happy doing
what they do --- kids sense that -- then they quit doing what they are
supposed to be doing. What can we do to make all teachers happy about their
jobs? I don't think money is always the answer. Motivate the
teachers ---and we motivate the kids -- works for me. When I was a kid --
teachers were passionate about their jobs -- kids were respectful towards
their teachers. I know the "product" has changed -- so we need to figure
out how to improve our product (kids). Happier teachers - happier kids.
Woody is thinking about trying to make a difference when he retires --
presenting workshops to administrators- school boards etc.-- I will let him
share more of his ideas himself (as he sent them privately to me).
Ok ...back to vacuuming --- great fun -- as you can see I LOVE housework. I
often share my joys -- Why Martha Stewart and I must be related - our homes
are so similar (Ok -- I know that isn't funny --- and "Martha fans" --
please do not be offended).
