As I try to find the center point tonight after a very busy week at school, I realize that the best times at school are when we are doing what's right and good for children. All teachers know the great feeling that comes from supporting children in ways that matter, and when our focus is there, we do well.
Sometimes our efforts to do what is right and good for children are challenged, and that is when struggle occurs. When we see a child mistreated or underserved, we rightly become upset and look for ways to remedy the situation. Generally we are always discussing ways that we can better teach the children in our midst. We read a lot about education, go to conferences, try new ideas, and reach out to others to support positive programming, programming that engages, empowers, and educates students well.
It is sometimes difficult to stick up for what you believe is right and good for children. I remember long ago getting up in the middle of the night fearful about the need to advocate for a child who was not receiving her services. I knew it would be difficult to speak up, but I also knew it was my responsibility to do so. This week I spoke up about over-testing which was not received well, but in the situation I was in, I felt that I had to speak up because I felt the request was not in keeping with what is best for the students at this time. When my team wanted to work together, we had to speak up. We worked tirelessly putting our plan together to prove that teamwork was the way to go. We met with some unpleasant commentary and challenge, but we also had some good support and the plan was eventually approved. Gaining approval was not easy, but being able to work as a team has been the best model of teaching I've ever worked in. Speaking up as educators is not always easy as our voices are not always respected or taken seriously. Some treat us as peons with lots of directives and little voice or choice. That's demeaning at best and we have to continually self coach ourselves ahead of such harmful treatment.
In general, however, there is great joy in doing what is right and good for children, and the more you aim your teaching in that direction, the greater satisfaction you'll have. That doesn't mean there won't be difficult days, particularly days when you have to speak up to advocate for what's best for a child, but overall to keep the children center stage in what you do is the best course of action.