Soapbox
So, what does the climate of a classroom reflect if not its teacher?
If the teacher is peaceful and calm, how will the children behave?
If the teacher is joyful and enthusiastic, what will the children be like?
If the teacher is oblivious and uncaring, how will the children respond?
If the teacher is resentful and afraid, what will the children do?
If the teacher is angry and frustrated, how will the children reflect that?
So, take it a step up, what does the climate of a building reflect if not its principal?
If the principal is ... Won't the teachers respond by being....
And beyond that? What doest the climate of a district relfect if not its leadership?
If the Board, AEA, Superintendent, supervisors, coaches are all suspicious and distrustful of one another - how will that trickle down to the children?
If we have a problem in Aurora with students not loving to learn, can it be that we have created a culture of fear and distrust that will not allow anything to thrive?
We can't wait for the children to prove they are learning so that the teachers are happy, so that will make the principal happy, so that it will make the leadership happy.....
We need to start top down. So my advice to the new superintendant - and to everyone between him and my kids - Be open, trusting, positive, honest and direct - recieve feedback as a gift - (you can always throw it away later, but first say thank you for the thought!) - give with all your heart, and then be amazed by what the students are able to do and become!!
That is my rant for today.
If the teacher is peaceful and calm, how will the children behave?
If the teacher is joyful and enthusiastic, what will the children be like?
If the teacher is oblivious and uncaring, how will the children respond?
If the teacher is resentful and afraid, what will the children do?
If the teacher is angry and frustrated, how will the children reflect that?
So, take it a step up, what does the climate of a building reflect if not its principal?
If the principal is ... Won't the teachers respond by being....
And beyond that? What doest the climate of a district relfect if not its leadership?
If the Board, AEA, Superintendent, supervisors, coaches are all suspicious and distrustful of one another - how will that trickle down to the children?
If we have a problem in Aurora with students not loving to learn, can it be that we have created a culture of fear and distrust that will not allow anything to thrive?
We can't wait for the children to prove they are learning so that the teachers are happy, so that will make the principal happy, so that it will make the leadership happy.....
We need to start top down. So my advice to the new superintendant - and to everyone between him and my kids - Be open, trusting, positive, honest and direct - recieve feedback as a gift - (you can always throw it away later, but first say thank you for the thought!) - give with all your heart, and then be amazed by what the students are able to do and become!!
That is my rant for today.