Conflict

Yesterday I ran across a quote that I had to underline and tweet out on Twitter.  The quote was "Conflict, too, is inevitable in any relationship, especially when values and results are involved".  This quote was found in the book Coaching Matters by Killion, Harrison, Bryan, and Clifton.  I am reading the book as part of a coaching initiative our EC teachers are taking part in so they were referring to the relationships between coaches, teachers, and administrators.  But I thought this quote was so valuable because it is true about any relationship we have, at work or in our personal lives, if the conflict involves values and/or results.

In today's world, public education is FULL of conflicting values and is focused on results.  Now, don't get me wrong.  Positive results are needed to ensure that students are proficient and that we have the best of the best working with our students on a daily basis.  It's just that we are only looking at certain results (summative test results or worst yet, summative reading scores at only one grade).  And when it comes to values, don't get me started.  Lately I have been hit in the face with the fact that public education can be all about the money.  If you look at how much it cost to buy materials to remediate students, you'd be shocked.  At the conference I went to in SC earlier this month, Dr. Richard Allington stated that he believed that the reason why some students were not learning to read was because tons of money is being made by people who profit when students don't learn to read.  And although everyone says it's about the children, listen carefully and sooner or later you will hear their true focus.

So what should tired and frustrated educators do?  I've played around with the idea of starting my own school and taking true educators with me but sadly my "boat had not come in yet".  I believe we need to bring every issue (lack of pay raises for ALL teachers, the 25% bonus (that I believe will end collegiality among staff members), lack of equity between schools, etc.) back to the students and our job as educators to provide a quality education so that all students can succeed.

Malcom X stated "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today."  We must keep this in mind as we fight for change in education.  As we all know, money comes and goes but if you have knowledge no one can take that from you!  We must engage our students so they see the importance of what they are learning.  My hope is that the students of today will become the state and nation leaders that make the needed changes to ensure that the students are at the core of all decisions made.

I hope everyone is ready for an amazing week and thank you for all you do for me and the students of Erwin!



This Week (March 3-7, 2014)
Monday

• Send off for our Battle of the Books time (at conclusion of announcements)
• Backus, Gay, Bagby Mtg. with Hill
• 3rd and 4th Grade PLCs
• Faculty Summit (PD Focus) afterschool in Computer Lab and Media Center

Tuesday

• 5th Grade PLC
• IXL/AR Event in Auditorium at 11:00
• Think Smart Afterschool Tutoring begins (if you have questions on who should attend, please see Mrs. Manship); please bring students to auditorium at 2nd bell
• 3rd Grade EOG Night

Wednesday

• Hill at Principal's Meeting until 1:00
• Think Smart Afterschool Tutoring (if you have questions on who should attend, please see Mrs. Manship); please bring students to auditorium at 2nd bell
• Progress Reports Go Home (please see adjusted Harnett County Schools calendar for new report card and progress report dates)

Thursday

• State Tornado Drill at 9:00 AM
• Erwin Afterhours Response Winners Lunch in Conference Room (I will send home permission slips on Tuesday)
• 4th Grade EOG Night

Friday

• Enhancement PLC
• 5th Grade Science Benchmarks (Ecosystems)

Saturday

•  Data Room Makeover Day (please let Bagby know if you can help out) at 1:00 PM

I will email out all after hour events that staff will need to attend on Tuesday.  Please disregard Very Important Dates given in August since there have been numerous changes.  I would like for all certified staff that are not classroom teachers to attend at least one EOG Parent Night.  Please see grade level chair for assignment on that night.