Lesson #9:
Separate self from the system.
by Wendy Crick
In other words, who we are is not the system. We are separate, intelligent beings from the system in which we work. Just because the system is not working does not mean that we as educators are not working hard or are not intelligent. Separating ourselves from the system allows us to take an objective look at our accomplishments. Right now in America there are an estimated 40 million functionally illiterate adults. In our schools there are 40 – 60 percent of our students not performing “at grade level” in reading by the time they hit middle school. This is not because teachers, administrators, or students are lazy. This is because they are working in an outdated system with outdated tools. Instead of looking at the students who are not reaching their highest ability in reading as being “wired differently” or socio-economically disadvantaged, why don’t we look at the way in which we teach reading and within the system which we work? Separating ourselves from the system will allow us to look at the system and make changes without feeling personally attacked. Think of it this way: If you had a physician that was only accurate in diagnosing your illness 50 – 60 percent of the time, would you continue to seek his professional opinion? Or if you had a bank that kept accurate track of your money only 60 percent of the time would you still bank there? And for all of you sports fans out there, if your favorite professional sports team only won 40-50 percent of its games year after year would that coach still be leading the team?
Our nation, our society, and many educators are demanding that all students reach their highest potential in reading. We can meet that demand but only with a big shift in the educational system of the United States, our thinking, and an enhanced knowledge.
More Lessons -
Lesson #1: Turn your anger into a passion.
Lesson #2: The lack of reading skills is a symptom not a condition.
Lesson #3: Think big and look for answers in new places.
Lesson #4: The need for engagement versus compliance.
Lesson #5: The need for quality remediation rather than accommodation.
Lesson #6: Empowering students
Lesson #7: Shift from grade level expectations to reaching ones highest potential.
Lesson #8: Exchange excuses for answers.
Lesson #9: Separate self from the system.
Lesson #10: Change is the only constant in our universe.
