DISD isn't an activity. DISD isn't a game. Everyone seems to want to be involved in the 8 hour school day whether it be with money or physically getting in the classroom teaching. Schools open and close, non-profits come and go, but the ones always left behind are our kids.
Over the past few weeks I have had several interesting conversations with people, both inside and outide of education, who have been watching the news and want to get involved. Everyone has some kind of "x" or precondition that needs to be satisfied before they tackle the beast that is a large urban public school district.
A few of the conditions include:
"Once my kid graduates."
"Once I retire"
"After I get married"
"Once I save up enough money"
Why are they so hesitant? I can't say I blame them, but I always probe a bit deeper. What are they so afraid of? Here are a few of the concerns:
"I hear the administration is supportive of teachers"
"I hear the kids are out of control"
"I hear Mike Miles is destroying education"
"I hear leadership on campuses is incompetent"
"I hear parents don't care"
There are varying degrees of truth all over these concerns, but the important think I stress to people thinking of coming to DISD is to make sure they are doing it for the right reasons. DISD isn't a safari. It's not full of wild animals and a few jaded and disgruntled park rangers. It has is faults, but there are some fantastic teachers, motivated students, and some real learning going on. It can be beautiful depending on how you look at it or horrifying. A lot of the time it's both at the same damn time and that's what makes it special. There's room to improve and a long way to go before it's perfect, but we need the right people coming in for the right reasons with the right mindset.
Related Blogs:
Why do some DISD Teachers teach
Over the past few weeks I have had several interesting conversations with people, both inside and outide of education, who have been watching the news and want to get involved. Everyone has some kind of "x" or precondition that needs to be satisfied before they tackle the beast that is a large urban public school district.
A few of the conditions include:
"Once my kid graduates."
"Once I retire"
"After I get married"
"Once I save up enough money"
Why are they so hesitant? I can't say I blame them, but I always probe a bit deeper. What are they so afraid of? Here are a few of the concerns:
"I hear the administration is supportive of teachers"
"I hear the kids are out of control"
"I hear Mike Miles is destroying education"
"I hear leadership on campuses is incompetent"
"I hear parents don't care"
There are varying degrees of truth all over these concerns, but the important think I stress to people thinking of coming to DISD is to make sure they are doing it for the right reasons. DISD isn't a safari. It's not full of wild animals and a few jaded and disgruntled park rangers. It has is faults, but there are some fantastic teachers, motivated students, and some real learning going on. It can be beautiful depending on how you look at it or horrifying. A lot of the time it's both at the same damn time and that's what makes it special. There's room to improve and a long way to go before it's perfect, but we need the right people coming in for the right reasons with the right mindset.
Related Blogs:
Why do some DISD Teachers teach
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