As educators, we have always been in the position where we have heard students compare our classroom to one of our colleagues. We get aggravated when they say, “Well Mrs. Smith has always let us do that!”. It drives many educators crazy because we know that it is always being used to gain an advantage, yet not necessarily used to improve what we are doing.
Often times though, when working with colleagues, we all have said, “Well this is the way that its ALWAYS been done”. This is no better of an argument.
As educators, we have to continuously look at current practices and ensure they align with what we are trying to do as a school. Building our school as a collaborative environment, but then only recognizing individuals through awards does not align. Saying that we want parent feedback on how to improve our schools, but only sending information out once a year and maybe sending an individual survey does not align. Saying we believe in distributed leadership but only have pictures of the principal up in our hallways does not align.
If we are being responsible to our students and schools, we have to continuously look at what we say and what we do and be prepared to make change. Saying, “that’s the way its always been done”, is not enough. It is also selling our schools and students short.
