To be completely honest, I'm a little nervous about this one, specifically the part that says "they override directives." I don't want to sound like a rebel, because I'm a big ol' rule follower. When it comes to my classroom though, I have to go with my heart or as Regie would say, my professional and moral knowledge and judgment. Fortunately, I've been blessed with administrators who believe in my professional and moral knowledge and judgment and let me do my thing. That, I know, is not always the case and is the reason for this quote today.
I spent some time shaking my head this week as I read of one teacher's experience in a school where she has little to no professional autonomy. It's a scenario that makes me cringe and reminds me of how thankful I am to teach where I teach. Here are some things that some teachers deal with.
- Strict pacing guides that require teachers to move on, even when kids don't understand concepts. Everyone is literally on the same page.
- The amount of time spent on each subject is defined down to the minute, so there's not always time for what matters most to kids and teachers.
- There are even rules to what can be displayed in the hallways.
"Purpose + choice = motivation."
Gail Boushey and Joan Moser, The Daily 5 21.
As much as our children need motivation, so do we as teachers. My administration has allowed me a lot of choice. I'm guessing that if the opposite were true, I would not be very motivated. So today I am thankful for professional autonomy. The gift of choice in my classroom is one that I cherish...and all the more reason to make sure my students are afforded that same gift.
(Next week I'll have some guests with me for Saturday Sayings. Come see who it is!)
I have been very fortunate with my administrators too. They have trusted me to be professional and let me teach. I am truly grateful for that! I agree, it would be hard to be motivated otherwise.
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, my administration has made a world of difference for my teaching career. We are blessed.
DeleteLOVE! I've been toying with the idea of seeking a job where I would be paid more. I know the districts around here all follow very strict guidelines and the teachers of each grade must do what every other teacher is doing at the same grade level through out the district. I feel so blessed to be able to choose my own curriculum and implement it in any way I choose. There is so much more to teaching than following a guide book. Thank you for helping me see the light!
ReplyDeleteJenny
Jenny, it sounds like you are very blessed to choose your own curriculum and implementation. It sounds like a sweet deal to me. :)
DeleteMy heart goes out to that teacher! It would be so hard to teach in such an unsupported environment. I am in a strange half and half situation. My curriculum is definitely very rigid (this day, this page, and it has prekinders copying words into journals every day for writing) but so far so one has minded that I am using writer's workshop and swapping the curriculum around to use authentic texts (as long as I keep the same skill base in mind). No one's appreciated this amount of extra effort or the amazing results either, but I suppose at least I am getting to innovate a bit! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this great post! It's reminded me of how important choice is too for our students. It really makes a difference in how motivated they are and how much they learn.
Happy New Year!
~Jessica
Fun in PreK-1
Jessica, I love that you've found a way to be authentic and innovative in your classroom. It's that kind of teaching that brings the amazing results you're seeing. Happy New Year to you too!
DeleteGreat job! As a parent in your school, I too am thankful and grateful for the administration allowing you to teach as you do! You do an awesome job!
ReplyDeleteLisa, thank you. I've been so fortunate to be able to teach the way I need to teach and fortunate to be blessed with families like yours.
DeleteHi Tammy,
ReplyDeleteI think professional autonomy is so important. Fortunately, I have a principal {former teacher for many years} who believes in our teachers professional knowledge and judgement. It's this creative aspect of our profession that I love {using professional judgement to best meet the needs of the students}. Thank you so much for these reminders.
Mona
First Grade Schoolhouse
Mona, being allowed that creativity you mentioned is definitely something to love and appreciate. I'm so glad you came by. Thank you for adding to our conversation.
DeleteI can completely feel for the person you described in your post. I have had more autonomy in the past, but lately it seems like more and more things are being told rather than discussed. It's heartbreaking, really, and completely demotivating. I love that quote and I think I will print it and hang it somewhere to remind me that I am the kind of teacher that works hard and does what's best, even if it means "overriding directives."
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing something so powerful on a Saturday morning!
Nichole
The Craft of Teaching
Nichole, I hope that you're able to continue being the teacher you want to be in the midst of what sounds like a frustrating situation. Sometimes it's difficult to do what's best when autonomy seems to be slipping away. Stay strong. :)
DeleteI can't imagine teaching under the conditions you described. That's not even teaching. It's just "connect the dots". I'm so sorry some teachers have to work that way. I'm so lucky to teach in BC. We have total autonomy (within guidelines) and my understanding is its pretty much the same across Canada. Hopefully things will change for that teacher and others who work under the same conditions.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I love the vote of confidence you got from a parent. I'm not at all surprised :))
Happy teaching!
Barbara
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers Blog Designs
Barbara, it sounds like Canada knows what it's doing. I think we in the US are all over the spectrum. I'm glad to hear that you're able to do what you do. You do it so well!
DeleteIt scares me that there are schools out there that require everyone to be on the same page, teaching the same thing, the same way, at the same time. I don't understand, especially with RtI and all the talk of differentiating and meeting each child at their level of need, how there can still be schools that require this type of strict conformity. They are completely different points of view.
ReplyDeleteGlad that I have administration who, for the most part, just let me do what needs to be done. We also have great people in our district office who are all about common core and have even delayed voting for a new reading series because, as they stated, "a basal reader is not what we need." Finally, someone who understands where I'm coming from!
Teachin' First
Kristy, I love what your district office says about the basal. It's not everyday that you hear that kind of message coming from the DO. So cool!
DeleteTammy,we are truly blessed. I appreciate this post so much. If only the professional judgment of teachers everywhere could be trusted, what happy, gifted children we would have!
ReplyDeleteMarie, yes we are indeed blessed. It's a wonderful thing when we get to use our professional judgment.
DeleteI'm so lucky to work in a school were standards are high but our principal respects each of our personalities and teaching styles. We have a set curriculum and are working with the Common Core now. The focus isn't on all being on the same page but making sure the needs of all the kiddos are being met.
ReplyDeleteI know if I had to work in the setting mentioned in your post it would squash all the creativity I put into my lessons and the creativity of my kiddos.
Laurie
First Grade Lyons' Den
Laurie, it sounds like you work in a wonderful place. Everything you said sounds like a place where teachers and kids want to be. I love it!
DeleteTammy, thank you for this reminder. When Monday comes (likely I will have a hard time getting up so early after the holiday break), I will remember the freedom I have at my current school (ultimate freedom-it's fantastic!) and remember to cherish it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post : )
Kelli
Kelli, believe you me, getting up on Monday will be difficult for me too, but I'll get up knowing that I too have something to cherish. :)
DeleteThanks for the reminder! I am pretty blessed too for the moment as my administrator allows me to be me with my kiddos and create lessons that revolve around their interests. But there has been talk about what is coming and it doesn't promote professional autonomy....a little anxious about this!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Jenn
A Pirates Life for Us
Jenn, I'm sorry to hear that something is coming that makes you anxious. I would feel the same way I'm sure. I hope that you're able to continue doing what you do so well regardless.
DeleteLove this quote. I too am blessed to teach at a school that believes in my professional judgement. I don't know how I would do if that wasn't the case. I saw Dr. Jean last year and she said to put a sign on your door that says "Do not disturb. Testing." and teach on. Thought that was pretty good advice. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/2012/07/common-core-or-guided-reading.html
Kerri, that sounds like something Dr. Jean would say, and I love it. Several years ago my principal gave me permission to close my door and do my thing, so I can totally appreciate this advice!
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ReplyDeleteTammy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your courage in writing about this, despite your nervousness. Bravo and bravo! My heart breaks for the teachers AND students who have to adhere to proscribed pacing guides - the antithesis of how student's learn and how effective teachers teach. Again, thank you for your courage!
Dawn
Dawn, thank you for your encouragement. I never want to sound as though I have a rebellious mindset, but I do want to always have the courage to do what's best for kids. I've been blessed with lots of liberty in my classroom so far.
DeleteMy day, week, and what I teach is getting more structured. Sometimes I like the structure, but in math, particularly, it is difficult when I have several kids "not getting it yet." But sometimes I'm able to "cheat" and do the little extra I feel like I need to do.
ReplyDeleteSara
Sara, "cheating" sounds like following your heart. I love that you do that when you feel the need. :)
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