Today I spoke up at our staff meeting about another system-wide initiative we are being told to do.
On top of the testing and recording of the results that also has to be done to determine if “intervention” money – targeted at closing learning “gaps” due to COVID – was well spent.
Plus all the other things we need to do because our students need us to teach them.
So, I spoke up.
The air in the room seemed to freeze or maybe it just stood still. At least it felt that way to me. Slowly, though, other teachers backed up what I was saying.
It needed to be said.
I asked for time so that grade level teams could talk about the new 3-week mini unit we have to do.
And, why were we meeting on the Friday before Spring Break to talk about a new project?
We need more time.
I felt vulnerable speaking out earlier.
I feel vulnerable writing about this now.
It has to be done.
Cross posted to the Two Writing Teachers March Slice of Life Story Challenge.
Elisa Waingort 
I wish I had that courage. There are many things that need to be said that just are not right now.
Thanks for putting that out there for all of us.
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Thank you, Darin.
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First of all – ELISA! How did I even find you on here? Post move (by almost a decade!) from Ecuador! What a lovely twist of fate!
Second – there is so much “extra” right now, most of it having to do with proving we are doing our jobs to meet students’ needs, which in turn merely takes us away from that objective. And it’s honestly exhausting to keep voicing that concern.
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OMG! Heidi! Small world. So glad you’re here. You are absolutely right about constantly being asked to prove we’re meeting students’ needs and then not being given the time to figure it out. Sending you lots of energy as this year winds down.
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First of all – ELISA! How did I even find you on here? Post move (by almost a decade!) from Ecuador!
Second – there is so much “extra” right now, most of it having to do with proving we are doing our jobs to meet students’ needs, which in turn merely takes us away from that objective. And it’s honestly exhausting to keep voicing that concern.
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First of all – ELISA! How did I even find you on here? Post move (by almost a decade!) from Ecuador! What a lovely turn of fate.
Second – there is so much “extra” right now, most of it having to do with proving we are doing our jobs to meet students’ needs, which in turn merely takes us away from that objective. And it’s honestly exhausting to keep voicing that concern.
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“I spoke up,” these words were repeated in your slice and shares emotions and bravery. You were principled and represented all those whose voices needed to be heard.
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Thank you, Juliette.
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