One of the items discussed at the public meeting with Mr. Johnson was that fact that as the I-SS implemented its version of the Baldrige Plan there was a decrease of humanity in our schools. For example, it was mentioned that since administrators had to spend so much time dealing with all of the Baldrige requirements that they did not have the time to get to know the students as well as they have been able to get to know them in the past. It was also stated that at one school, there were a number of students who identified one of the teachers as the principal.
I recently received an e-mail from a teacher who talked about the importance of the human element. The teacher has told me that I may share the contents of the e-mail with the readers of this blog. I am including the message here.
Hi Mr. Klaene.
Someone at my school made a comment. I believe it holds a lot of truth and is worth sharing.
She said,
"When we began using the terminology "stakeholders and customers" to refer to our parents, teachers, and students, the heart and humanistic characteristics of teaching and learning died."
I thought the comment was profound. These titles are cold and impersonal- which is much like the atmosphere in our schools and classrooms. The words "stakeholder and customers" have slowly but surely sent the clear message that education has joined the corporate world - where lives get shattered because of numbers, and possibilities for individuality and enrichment are stifled at the hands of those in control. Now our education system is diseased by this business mentally.
Someone should mention to our school board and our administration that words are powerful - we would like to be acknowledged again as the humans we are. We can be customers at the Wal-Mart when we purchase a broken, mechanical item. But in school, please let us be teachers. Let us be students. Let us be parents. Let us be a community. Recognize us as givers and seekers of knowledge. That just may be a huge step toward improving morale.
I-SS Teacher
