Picture from Finadom.com
Yesterday @BostonHistory posted a link to a blog http://edge.ascd.org/_Would-I-Want-My-Child-In-This-Classroom/blog/2696133/127586.html which said that educators need to ask themselves the question, would they want their child to be in a class that:
“1. A majority of the instruction is focused on memorization and recall
2. If the teacher uses a single textbook for history and does not teach multiple perspectives”
There was a whole list.
I responded that the real question is what we as educators do when we answer NO, we wouldn’t want our children in this type of classroom.
However for me the questions took on a different meaning and resonated with me because what if the situation was that your child was in such a class and You the parent/ educator taught in the same school.
Over the years my family and I have lived in different communities almost always my children where in the same school where I taught. I wore many different hats; I was a teacher, sometimes an administrator, and parent all at the same time.
To be honest I believe I was not always the best advocate for my children.
For those that have read my blog posts before you know that I tend to take a less confrontational approach,this at times is probably one of my weaknesses, but here as well I learned some valuable lessons as an administrator and as an educational leader. None of what I am saying is new but at times I need to remind myself that even though in the short term I may not have helped my children I believe in the long term I not only helped them but others
1. Pick your battles – At times you may win a battle but lose the war
2. You gain more by being supportive and trying to help than you do when you confront someone
3. You need to teach and lead by example
4. You can only get people to grow and change when they trust you- You first need to develop a sense of trust
Thank you for letting me think out loud
Akevy
Akevy - Great commentary - I agree wholeheartedly with your point of view and the fact that we need to partake in a respectful discourse.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. The worst thing that people should say about me is that I am too much of nice guy.
ReplyDeleteAkevy
I am in this situation currently and have been since my oldest child started kindergarten 5 years ago. I am not necessarily confrontational, but I have high expectations for myself and those around me, and I guess I tend to push everyone. I am aware that I am very progressive in my educational philosophy and, as such, I am pretty "out there" to a lot of the other parents and teachers.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I often feel I am not the best advocate for my own children because I see the teacher's side of things with many parents complaining about every little thing, and I do not want to be "THAT" parent. I try to remind myself that no situation is perfect, and I am aware of all the good things about the situation of working in my children's school. I also know that I am working for change for all students not just my own children.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.