4 weeks until spring break. In those 4 weeks we will have completed our spring lead teach, received a formal observation by an AUSL Administrator, completed our teacher work sample, given the lessons, collected and processed the data, ended quarter 3 AND began quarter 4 (another 4 class quarter) and last but not least, taken our APT test, a 5 hour test that will determine if we are able to get our teaching license. 4 weeks. Sometime during this period, turnaround schools will be announced, communities will rally to stop them, and the air itself will become so thick you can cut it with a knife. But not to worry.....because if I am anything now, I am flexible!
Now, I have no problem with "being flexible" but tell me this, when did "being flexible" become synonymous with "adapting your schedule and time to others because they haven't gotten their work done or basically have their shit together." I'm just curious. And, while we are at it, bigger picture, why is this ok in an industry that should be more urgent than ANY in existence?? I am going to be teaching ( God-willing) for a while, but when and if I become an administrator, I'm going to have a few things to say.
We (educators) want to be treated with as much respect as people treat bankers and lawyers, but that can't happen when we don't act as professional as they do. 24 hour email turnaround times and listening to your voicemails is the BARE MINIMUM. Yes, family time is important, it's important to doctors, lawyers and bankers too. But honestly, especially if you are working within the constraints of our lowest performing schools, clocking out at 5 on friday and not returning emails until sunday night or monday morning when there are monday deliverables is not acceptable. I am not saying work through the weekend, but honestly, the lack of accountability is shocking to me.
When I worked under Dr. Donald Fraynd in OSI, we all were absolutely on the other end of the spectrum. Being available 24/7 was acceptable, and with the exception of well deserved vacations, we never hesitated to call, email or text each other at any time. Sure, this may not have been the healthiest of environments for all, but we actually took the CPS mantra (which used to be on the CPS id badges) "EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY" to heart.
Now, I know lots of people are going to have plenty to say about this, and that's ok. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But the truth of the matter is while bankers quote, "Money never sleeps" do the streets of Chicago ever stop pulling at our kids? Does school climate and culture take a break from being chaotic when we peace out? Does a student's ability to read progress with 1 hour of reading a day and nothing beyond that?
How do we find a happy medium that gives our students and the environments they spend their days in, a fighting chance? Does poor planning and a complete lack of organization contribute to the need for over communication? Are we (CPS) training our leaders to be leaders, and arm them with skills such as organization, good communication, smart business sense, ability to empower others, and delegation??
We criticize charter schools and private, but only in these environments can leaders be creative and require what is necessary and not what is required by the district (these are different things for sure), or have longer school days without a march down LaSalle street. Charter organizations like KIPP and Noble are doing some AMAZING things and I truly believe, CPS proper has the potential to be amazing as well. But it starts with stopping the bullshit request for everyone to "be flexible". We just don't have that kind of time. What would happen, if for 1 year, every person who touched kids in CPS, from the grant claims department at central office to the teacher, to the city year staff pushed themselves like it was their last chance every day?
I will continue to "be flexible" because I am just a resident and my thoughts and opinions are not requested at this time. But watch out CPS because like a phoenix rising you will know when I am empowered with the true ability to affect change on a larger scale. I hope you're not sleeping when it happens.
Good luck to all the residents starting their lead teach this week! Go change some lives!!!
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