Employees Quit Their Bosses Not Their Jobs!

I must admit I have struggled pondering whether or not to write this piece.  My intentions are genuinely always good, never malicious.  Unfortunately, the weight and stress I knew my friend of two decades had been bearing for some time might be alleviated somewhat by sharing his story anonymously and in its entirety,  I have listened to his plight and story now for well over a year now, I have decided to tell all the disturbing facts and what a truly cancerous, hostile and toxic working environment looks like,  The simple truths of what he had to endure which were not only demoralizing but downright discriminatory and illegal are as follows below.

He adamantly told me over and over again he should have known better, and resigned immediately after a former boss of his, in his first week on the job, upon introducing all the colleagues with whom he would be supervising and working with, supporting and coaching over the next few years, three-fourths of them behind their backs were characterized as "idiots".  He felt guilty thinking he had failed to stand up to not only these unprofessional characterizations but offensive behavior both public and private.

He reiterated and pleaded to me for no reason whatsoever for understanding after a long tenure and association with all his colleagues and students, and wanted every one of them to know how dear they were to him personally and professionally. He told me confidently he had nothing but great admiration and respect for all of them individually and collectively, and always would regardless of their opinion of him.  All the kids are just that, kids he reminded me often during our long conversations.  They are all awesome!

Sadly, to his growing dismay and disgust, his bosses or leaders if you so choose to refer, spent considerable time over the years invariably referring to our troubled youth and those carrying enormous burden and struggle as "turds".  They did this not only behind closed doors but in front of the entire staff on more than one occasion!  Again,  he felt as though he had failed by not standing up to these daily unprofessional characterizations but offensive behavior both public and private. Time and time again, publicly and privately, directed at those they were there to serve, educate, nurture and protect.

Often coming back to a point that his work and efforts in building a quality and caring community in which mutual respect, care, and compassion would be afforded to all, the bosses or leaders if you so choose to refer, continued to do what they did best.  Arguably, one of the worse experiences he told me he had to be a part of was during a "team" meeting of administrators and school leaders.  A beginning first-year teacher reached out to a department supervisor in a morning email about the daily struggles she was having, her ability to continue on, her self-doubt and ultimately pleading for support before potentially resigning.  Her boss or leader, if you choose to refer, commented if she wouldn't be "such a bitch" she wouldn't be having such issues.   Again,  my buddy felt he had failed to stand up to these daily unprofessional characterizations but offensive behavior both in public and private.

In another such setting in which came to mind, among the select few who sat by and did nothing as did he, his boss, his leader, the Principal, prior to announcing a huge strategy and change in protocol in which he could not even recollect to our entire staff, claimed it would be similar to the Jews not knowing the onset of the Holocaust was imminent, right?   Again,  he felt sick to his stomach thinking he had failed to stand up daily to these unprofessional characterizations but equally offensive behavior both public and private.

Time and time again he told me with much distress in which could not go unnoticed, he grew more and more wearisome, disturbed and demotivated, as his boss or leader, however, you so choose to refer, constantly kept telling our students and children either "sorry" or  "I can't help you" or "I can't do anything for you"...  Again,  his feelings of having failed to stand up to this daily unprofessional mentality but equally as disturbing the lackadaisical lack of compassion and commitment to being a servant leader to our constituents as was their charge!   Simply, having no professionalism in making decisions in the very best interests of their students as professional educational administrators are schooled and licensed to abide by.

As part of my buddy's responsibilities, he was over transportation and busing.  Upon realizing there was an employee who had been abusing their timesheet and bringing it to the Principal's attention he essentially ignored it when the documentation and evidence clearly supported this.  My friend, being a first-year administrator, told me many colleagues had told him personally how this employee constantly and for several years past had been doing the same yet it was being ignored by management and condoned.  After repeated and documented warnings to the employee, presented to school building leadership on two more occasions, and even brought to Human Resources attention as well as the Head of Transportation, they simply didn't  deny all of this was, in fact, the case but referred him back to the Principal.   In April of 2015, it was brought to his attention by a bus driver that he would not be back next year.  My friend immediately brought this to his bosses attention who then informed him he didn't know or have any idea what she was talking about.  Within two weeks later he had his first and sole letter of performance deficiency sitting on his chair the morning after the Board of Education voted on probationary hires which he was one.  His so-called evaluations to this point were essentially never conducted according to NC Public School Law other than "good first year".  He was called into HR and offered an additional two-year contract due to this violation and neglect of due process according to the statute in his understanding of NC public law.

Having known his spouse for years as well, I found it incredulous as to the flippant, derogatory, and discriminatory innuendos and passive aggressive comments made to him again and again in his presence regarding his wife's ethnic origins, her reasoning for wanting to visit her native home over the summers, my buddy's desires to travel with her to visit in-laws and their ability to maintain and sustain their marriage and relationship with her being away for extended periods of time and the like. He persisted toward me upon his failure to make and take a stance as to the blatant inappropriateness, inflammatory, discriminatory and unprofessionalism displayed by his two supervisors.

Over the next two academic years, he stated the working conditions continued to deteriorate adding more and more duties to the only administrator working the lessor of two other administrator contracts.  He had been a ten month contracted employee while prior to leaving the Principals in charge if you so choose to refer, hired not one but two more administrators both less credentialed, less experienced and less qualified granting them 11 and 12-month contracts respectively?  They argued naively and simply stupidly that all of our duties were of an equitable nature and responsibility.  This was simply not the case in which every one of the nearly 100 employees on staff clearly saw and will attest to base on my buddy essentially working 160 and 320 hours less respectively...

In three years service, he told me he was supposed to have a total of nine formal meetings/evaluations if not more to included PDP's through the NCDPI NCEES portal and protocol yet during this entire time he had only ONE?  This one, according to him was the one in which he received this past summer before leaving for vacation.  When I asked him about the other eight he said simply that his bosses did not do their jobs and simply ignored the system required by the state, yet constantly ragged him for not getting his evaluations on certified staff done in a timely matter.  Even more preposterous was that there was never one discussion of staff, individually or collectively, in which he was involved as part of the school's supposed leadership team regarding performance, effectiveness and or action plan/disciplinary measures for underperforming staff members....


  

When All The Paper Is Gone!

The USMC has had a motto for a long time. Improvise, Overcome and Adapt.   This post is intended for the audience of educators and administrators who are both hesitant and reluctant to appreciate this ideology and practice.  It is not just a fleeting notion or idea yet practical and real. I am imploring the future of the paperless classroom and school is upon us.  It is already a reality in many schools and the current plan and goal of hundreds of others across the world.  It is not a matter of I don't think so or maybe anymore, but when?

The implementation of mobile technology in any and all forms referencing the movement of BYOD in schools at all levels has finally come to fruition in hundreds of school districts in America and thousands of schools respectively.

The question in which I would like to pose to my colleagues and contemporaries is what would we do if our textbooks and hard copies of curriculum, as well as our copy machines disappeared unannounced one day at the school in which you work?  What would you now do individually as a classroom teacher as well as a school community?  Would your school close its doors and shutdown?  Would we tell the students to go home?  Would we as lifelong educators confess to our stakeholders we can no longer teach the children?

We must, if we truly acknowledge the state of our world and the plight in which students now face in regards to their future productivity and success in the world as an adult, move expeditiously to accept and embrace the tools and resources provided to the learning environment by technology held in the hands of our students.  Innovative and progressive professional educators who see the potential and proverbial light in maximizing student engagement and learning via the use of mobile technology possessed by students should be forward thinking in both attitude and mindset.  The delivery of their instruction should demonstrate and reflect the reality of their potential by implementing their usage each and everyday as part of their planning and lessons.  Bear in mind if we are not part of the solution we are oftentimes  part of the problem.  Effective and successful educators plan and work  with the maxim and goal  to teach children to be problem solvers, no?

Amongst the other group of perhaps millions of educators around the globe are those who are simply indifferent either way.  Arguably, is it not possible they are the group in which are neither compassionate towards students wants and needs as well as passionate about their chosen profession?

To avoid being over rhetorical and long winded, as a  Marine and now longtime educator, it is our moral imperative to not only defend and protect those who are unable to do so themselves, but to improvise, overcome and adapt to the world and resources around us while figuring out effective and efficient means to deliver content and instruction to students of the 21st century via all resources, technology and otherwise, to maximize student engagement and success.

I look forward to hearing from all my contemporaries and colleagues regarding this revolutionary movement like no other.  What are YOU going to do when you have no paper or textbook to  deliver your instruction and teach your class?  

As always, yours in the good fight!

Fellowship & Following; A Commentary On Leadership!

    

     Why does one choose to lead?  Are leaders born or do they learn to lead?  What separates a manager from a leader? What is the difference between an average, a good and a great leader?  Regardless of the capacity in which one works in, there are only a handful of personal traits and characteristics in which truly defines why one leads and is great at it.

     I think and suppose individuals make a conscious decision to want to be a leader, but from where one has this calling, it is probably safe to assume it comes from their childhood upbringing, their experiences and the people they are fortunate to have as mentors.  To this end as a Marine, there is only one motto in which we were taught,  you either choose to lead, follow or get out of the way! 

     Authentic leaders and great leaders shy away from acclaim, glory, prestige and praise.  They lead with the unselfish intentions of not accomplishing great things to mark their places in history but to create systems, strengthen individual and collective human capacity, and to build advantageous additions of any nature to society for the good of mankind.  They seek and defer the attention and limelight of accomplishments to those for whom they lead.  They serve others unselfishly for the betterment and empowerment of their following.  They are compassionate toward all others while being passionate about their service and efforts in which they are giving and providing others. 

     A truly great leader's integrity is unquestioned and beyond reproach.  Their fellowship and followers know without hesitation they can be counted on and trusted in all crisis.  Instead of inspiring others to follow and have confidence in them, they inspire, teach and motivate others to become the best of leaders themselves. 

Awesome leaders demonstrate by actions not just words.  They always do the right thing realizing that only those who manage are supposed to be doing things right.  They appreciate and understand, while practicing daily in every action and word, that everyone matters equally. Every human being is important regardless.  They entitle all to respect while practicing enviable humility at all times. 

     A great leader is easily recognizable by the way they interact and treat those who are indeed less fortunate.  They go out of their way, and above and beyond, to do all in their power to treat and assist those who are in need and suffering.  They realize and keep to the calling if one of their followers is not a success, it is the leader themselves who is the one in which has failed.  When they make a mistake they admit it, and while helping their following to do the same, they seek solutions to correct mistakes.          

     Great leaders are non judgmental. They have great aptitude in being able to look into the souls of other human beings.  They have an almost uncanny ability to tap into the desires and needs of all others, and while recognizing this they do all in their power to bring out the best in everyone.  They consistently maintain an attitude and presence in which is solid and unwavering even in the midst of chaos and disarray.

     The greatest of all leaders have the propensity to stay calm and composed during the most stressful of times and even in the midst of death all around.  They realize that by doing so they empower their following to be able to do the same.  For if they were not able to, it would cause both catastrophe and panic itself.

     With all the great leaders in history as well as all of the thousands of books on leadership, these are a few of my thoughts on leadership.  I hope I was able to provide some direction and guidance to my colleagues and readers on defining and finding who they ultimately want to be...

PEACE 
  

 

The Three Strikes You're Out Approach to Dealing With Difficult Students!

The Three Strikes You’re Out Approach to Dealing with Difficult Students!

 

     While there are literally hundreds of books regarding teacher effectiveness and pedagogy, simplifying teacher practice into a mere three suggestions can unquestionably assist to the success in which all teachers want to enjoy while overcoming a lack of student achievement and classroom management.  One would think these three unacceptable and psychologically destructive behavioral actions employed by teachers, ought not to be going on in classrooms?  Think again. 

     Unfortunately, the sad fact of the matter is these actions go on in schools all across the world.  They are used and implemented by teachers primarily as a defense mechanism in reaction to non-compliant behavior, undesirable behavior or a lack of respect displayed by students.  They are a primitive attempt at behavior modification by poor quality teachers from the new to the veteran, as well as licensed qualified teachers who lack compassion, empathy, experience, and understanding dealing with behavioral and psychological issues that students bring to school with them.   More times than not they often manifest themselves in school in the form of their actions and communications.   Often teachers forget, or choose to ignore, the issues and problems children bring with them to school on a daily basis.  It is this proverbial baggage which lies at the root of students being both non compliant and disrespectful. 

     These counter behaviors and reactions on behalf of teachers occur and are ongoing in classes all over.  There impact and effect is different however, given the age and grade level of the student.  Nonetheless, how some teachers behave and communicate, it can cause irrevocable damage to the fragile minds and hearts of youth still forming their personalities.  Older children in particular are used to and have probably already experienced these behaviors and words and actions many times over, thus resulting in a defensive posture and mode.  Younger children more so or often times, due to their inability and maturity in knowing how to reply and or defend themselves, often hold their reactions to this inappropriate and unacceptable teacher conduct deep within themselves.  In all likelihood it will manifest itself in their future actions not only in school, but how they deal with others and most importantly their own children as they raise them.  I think most quality teachers, and would like to believe ALL teachers, with a compassionate and humanistic approach to being an effective and quality classroom teacher and compassionate communicator, as well as a person, will agree with the following points;

1.         Berating & Embarrassing a student is amongst the worse things an adult in a classroom can do to a student.  Equally as damaging, is the behavior and communication when done on a one to one basis?  Regardless of the forum or venue, as a parent or a child yourself, you probably have had this experience.  The resulting reaction or lack of reaction on behalf of a student or child will most likely have both short and long term consequences in which will result in an even more aloof, insecure and non compliant child or student.  To begin, or to be a part of the destruction of another human beings self esteem is the ultimate result of berating another, and not the business of what education is all about.  It is simply an intolerable action and practice which needs to be eliminated immediately from the confines of any and all school buildings.  Educators must know and be cognizant in their interpersonal communications with their students; it is these children who are most often the ones who lack these characteristics to begin with.     Embarrassing a student is in most regards the same as the aforementioned point, whether blatant or not, it is oftentimes used and displayed by teachers in more clandestine and sarcastic ways.  Although often times used as a tactic to modify and correct inappropriate behavior, the effects are the same.  Ultimately, it will create mistrust on behalf of the student while fostering a climate and culture in a classroom much to the same ends.  The same impact and effect will be the result when berating a student…

2.        Yelling at students more times than not occur in conjunction with the other two points mentioned above.  Whether a student or teacher wants to admit it or not this is potentially the most psychologically damaging to a child.  Each time a teacher raises their voice to a difficult of disruptive student it is like a thunderbolt in which strikes deep into the heart of another person!  Again, it not only reveals a teachers lack of professionalism, self-control, compassion and understanding but also speaks volumes as to their inability or unwillingness to dealing appropriately and effectively with a child who is non compliant or difficult.  We all carry baggage with us daily and ongoing, yet an adult who has experienced much more pain, stress and suffering personally should be able to check and recognize the short term impact and direction, as well as the long term effects this is going to have on a child who is still growing and being shaped emotionally and mentally…

 

          3.      Ignoring a child or student is a method employed by teachers which is just as damaging on a child’s psyche as all the other actions and behaviors above.  As an educator, a lifelong learner and a mentor to kids whom many times have very few mentors to look up to or emulate, this action or inaction on behalf of an educator speaks volumes (pardon the pun).  A method employed perhaps more so than any of the behaviors previously mentioned, is yet another ill practice to deal with the difficult and non compliant student.

     In summation, I offer just a few of quotes in which inspired and resonated with me in writing this blog, while forming my opinion and practice regarding dealing with children and students over the years.   I sincerely hope this article has resonated with you as well, and that you may find it useful in assisting your staff or colleagues be the great teachers and mentors they are striving to be, and I know that deep within they can be!  Peace.

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”  Frederick Douglass

“Your student should not leave your class the same way they walked in.”  George Stewart (PLN colleague and friend)

“Teach like there is a camera in the room.  Like it because with cell phones there always is.”  Todd Whitaker (PLN colleague and friend)

“The surest way to ensure a productive organization is to treat the people you work with, and for, with dignity, fairness and respect.”  Joe Clark (PLN colleague and friend)

“Kindness gives birth to kindness.”  Sophocles

“Nothing is more damaging to you than to do something you know is wrong.”  Abraham

“To touch the soul of another human being is to walk on holy ground.”  Stephen Covey

“There is nothing stronger than gentleness.”  Abraham Lincoln

“Any man can do harm to another, but not every man can do good to another.”  Aristotle

“A teacher effects eternity; they can never tell where their influence stops.”  Henry Adams

“A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things in which renew humanity.  Siddartha Gautama

“The tongue has the power of life and death.”  Proverbs 18:21

“The man who forgives is far stronger than the man who fights.”  Nathan Croall

“Kindness is a language we can all understand, the blind can see it, and the deaf can hear it.”  Mother Teresa

“The truth of the matter is we always know the right thing to do.  ‘The hard part is doing it.”  Robert Schuler

“The problem is not the problem.  The problem is your attitude about the problem.”  Capt. Jack Sparrow (aka Johnny Depp)

“Be kind, for everyone you meet and deal with is fighting a hard battle.”  Socrates

“If you want others to be happy practice compassion, if you want to be happy practice compassion.”  Dali Lama

“The secret in education lies in respecting the student.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Leadership Soup!



1.  Authentic - be genuine, candid, forthright in all actions and communications...

 

2.  Brave - be able and willing to take to the front in times of danger and indecision...

 

 

3.  Confident - always exerting the ability to overcome, adapt and improvise during crisis at all times...

 

4.  Determined - be a mover and shaker in getting things done regardless of risks in which have been calculated and weighed...

 

 

5.  Empathetic - be able and open to offering compassion & understanding regarding concerns & issues...

6.  Forgiving - being able to extend to those who make mistakes under their charge...

 

 

7.  Grateful - for all the accomplishments and successes earned, and willing to share and give ALL  credit to those on the team and within the organization...

 

 

8.  Honorable - those whom succeed and lead by celebrating everyone's accomplishments and achievements on the team and within the organization...

 

 

9.  Ingenius - be an innovator and forward thinking individual open to ideas and willing to reform and progress...

 

 

 

10.  Jovial - in their character and communications creating a culture of camaraderie, caring and genuine happiness...

 

 

 

11.  Kindheartedness - realizing their is no more powerful demonstration of any leaders ability...


 

12.  Leader - inspiring and empowering others to put forth and be the best that they can possibly be...

 

 

13.  Motivator - using all your character traits and influence, power of persuasion, to obtain buy in and to see that things get accomplished...

 

 

 

 

14.  No Nonsense- suggesting although there is a time for play and  rest, one must remain focused to the quality of the process and productivity of which the organizational or team goals are...
 

 

 

 15.  Omnipresent - those who follow you will always and sense you are standing behind them even when not physically there...

  

 

 

16.  Passionate - demonstrates, personifies and reveals the need for others to be appreciated and understood day in and day out to all...

 

 

 

 

17.  Quality -  as part of your leadership, ensuring and expecting high outcomes, results and performance from both yourself and all within the organization...

 

 

 

 

18.  Rational - in always making calls and decisions based on data and fact in reference to improving performance and quality...

 

 

 

19.  Systematic - yet human in your approach to activities, conduct and policy by yourself and members of the organization...

 

 

 

 20.  Tactful - in having the presence to conduct affairs, business and communications in which conclude in a productive and positive way...

 

21.  Understanding - having the experience, insight and foresight to reflect as to why and how things occur...

 

 

 

 22.  Virtuous - as a servant to others having the capacity and  the will to do what is always right, based on your morals and principles despite the risks and consequences...

 

 

 23.  Wisdom - as a person who leads, doing so with common sense and regard, not for oneself, but for all in whom they serve and represent, with their interests and that of the organization...
 

 

 

 24.  X-raylike - having the acumen to see, examine and analyze beneath the surface both your people and organization in assessing both climate, culture and efficacy...

  

 

 

25.  Yearnful - to constantly research and seek at ways to promote and further progress and positive change within your team and organization...

 

 

 

 

26.  Zeal - when it comes to standing by and promoting what is good for the organization, team and your followers...




Please feel free to comment or add your own descriptive words about leadership in which you feel strongly about.   I hope my PLN and readers enjoyed and can take something away from this?   I look forward to your comments.  Peace!