I recently had a conversation with one of the Elementary School Directors in the Los Angeles Unified School District. First, let me explain what this high paid school district official does. The principal reports to the director. The director reports to the Local District Superintendent. The local district superintendent reports to the Superintendent who takes direction from the School Board. Whew! That's a lot of people to find out why Johnny can't read.
But I digress. I recently had a conversation with one of the Elementary School Directors in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She expressed to me the confidence that she had in my abilities as an educator. Then she looked at me and said, "If you make a good impression, you will be out of that classroom in no time." I was stunned.
There is no room in education for making a good impression. This is not Ford or GM. This is not even Lehman Brothers. This is education. Making a profit in our business is making sure that our customers will be able to succeed in the school system, higher education, and in life. Our customers are students and the parents of students and the grandparents of students. How does making a good impression to principals, directors, and superintendents help students achieve?
If we really want to make a good impression in education, let's close the achievement gap. Let's spend a little less time smiling at the principal and taking on insignificant duties and more time teaching our students and taking on duties that help our students achieve. I good impression in education. . . teaching. Now that's a good impression. What do you think?
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