A Reader Writes... Advice for the First Year Principal - Part 3

In response to the 11/1/2013 post, “A SuperintendentWrites... Advice for the First Year Principal – Part 1,” a reader writes:

I had a similar problem with my doctor, he told me I would never run and refused to treat me for my inability to run, or even teach me how to. I told him I was going to sue him and hold him accountable for my inability to run unless he worked some kind of doctor magic that could make me run. Of course the fact that I was born with no legs made no difference, I should be able to run because other people are born with the ability to learn to run, and my physician should be held accountable to the standard of enabling me to run because he can do that for people born with legs.

So because my problem was so sever, he spent most of his energy and resources working on ways to enable me to run. It did not matter that with the limited resources available that I was receiving two to three times as much as his other patients. It did not matter that other patients waited with treatable ailments while I demanded all of the physician’s time. After millions of dollars of time and resources, I now have a very uncomfortable robotic suit that I can wear which enables me to run. My doctor didn't get sued, he did that which he was held accountable for, and after running for the first time, I decided that running really wasn't for me after all and bought a wheel chair that works even better for me.

SC Response

Aren’t we clever? 

The point of the original post and what you have confirmed is that teacher preconceived notions have a significant impact on the intensity of teacher practice and the results of the teacher’s students. 

Does that mean that I believe that all students will attend college? Short answer, No.

Long answer, my job is to prepare my students for the greatest range of positive opportunities. All of which will include some form of advanced learning, training, and/or education.  

What my job is not... To sort students into college material, not college material, and ditch digger groups.  Sadly, a job that way to many of us are willing and active participants.

I’ll close with this inconvenient truth that the “All students aren’t college material” proponents pathologically ignore.  The reading requirements for an entry-level blue collar job are higher than the reading requirements of the freshman year of college.  Which means that in the grand scheme of things, our college going students actually should get our lowest quality instruction and teachers because for those students, the stakes are lower.  But I have yet to see anyone advocate for that. 

How’s that for being clever?  

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

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