I never imagined growing up that I would be where I am today. As I waited for the sun and the bus to signify the start of a new day, I often dreamed about getting away from the farm. Some mornings the smell of the pigs would drift towards the bus stop and my passion to get off the farm intensified.
During those morning moments I imagined myself as a doctor or pharmacist, never a teacher. I even remember telling God, yes I tried something that stupid, I would never teach. Now I am in my third phase of my career as an educator. I have been a classroom teacher, next a tech coach, and now a principal.
As a principal I have many responsibilities that I never thought would be carried out like they have been. Advocating for my students is one that I expected, but never dreamed it would involve me blogging, tweeting and emailing about politics.
Last year, I spent a few days watching the debates on the floor of the state legislature. As I watched, my colleague commented on the activity down on the floor. What we witnessed is behavior that we would never tolerate in our classrooms. While one person had the floor, others were carrying on side conversations, roamed around the chamber, left the chamber to go back to their offices and other actions that you and I would consider rude and disrespectful. Now I know that they would sometimes step out and talk with constituents, but many would disappear for extended periods of time. Suddenly the call would come for a vote and the room was full again. These men and women would vote on items that were debated, but never heard the debate.
This tells me one of two things about their character:
1. They are so entrenched in their opinions and ego that they would never allow the positions of another to sway them (unless they contribute to their campaigns).
2. They do not care about the opinions of the people their laws will impact.
I know that many of you think your representative would never do that, but I want you to know that they may surprise you. I do understand that they are often asked to vote on resolutions that are extremely trivial in the grand scheme of things. Who really cares what the state cooking utensil is? Why do we even have a state cooking utensil?
When it comes to the future of our students, just because something sounds good on paper or comes from some policy creating group out of state doesn't mean it will actually work.
I have one major request for our legislators as they begin the session.
When you get ready to enact education policy and law, talk to educators at every level and from every type of district in the state so you will know the far reaching impact those proposed laws will have. Seldom do the laws you pass regarding education have the effect you intend, and often have the opposite effect.
During those morning moments I imagined myself as a doctor or pharmacist, never a teacher. I even remember telling God, yes I tried something that stupid, I would never teach. Now I am in my third phase of my career as an educator. I have been a classroom teacher, next a tech coach, and now a principal.
As a principal I have many responsibilities that I never thought would be carried out like they have been. Advocating for my students is one that I expected, but never dreamed it would involve me blogging, tweeting and emailing about politics.
Last year, I spent a few days watching the debates on the floor of the state legislature. As I watched, my colleague commented on the activity down on the floor. What we witnessed is behavior that we would never tolerate in our classrooms. While one person had the floor, others were carrying on side conversations, roamed around the chamber, left the chamber to go back to their offices and other actions that you and I would consider rude and disrespectful. Now I know that they would sometimes step out and talk with constituents, but many would disappear for extended periods of time. Suddenly the call would come for a vote and the room was full again. These men and women would vote on items that were debated, but never heard the debate.
This tells me one of two things about their character:
1. They are so entrenched in their opinions and ego that they would never allow the positions of another to sway them (unless they contribute to their campaigns).
2. They do not care about the opinions of the people their laws will impact.
I know that many of you think your representative would never do that, but I want you to know that they may surprise you. I do understand that they are often asked to vote on resolutions that are extremely trivial in the grand scheme of things. Who really cares what the state cooking utensil is? Why do we even have a state cooking utensil?
When it comes to the future of our students, just because something sounds good on paper or comes from some policy creating group out of state doesn't mean it will actually work.
I have one major request for our legislators as they begin the session.
When you get ready to enact education policy and law, talk to educators at every level and from every type of district in the state so you will know the far reaching impact those proposed laws will have. Seldom do the laws you pass regarding education have the effect you intend, and often have the opposite effect.
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