Here I am back in the classroom and I suddenly feel out of my element. The other Small Group Leader that I am working with always seems to get done with his lessons sooner than I do. He regularly releases his students at about 1430-1500 (2:30-3 p.m.) everyday, while I keep my class until about 1600-1630 (4-4:30 p.m.) everyday. We teach the same stuff, but I take longer to get through it.
I can't imagine that he is able to cut the prescribed time for the lesson as much as he does. The lessons are timed and we are supposed to stick to that time as best as we can.I cut the classes early already, but only by about 30 minutes or so, he cuts them by and hour or sometimes 2 or even 3 hours. None of his students failed the first test. 4 of my students failed. How can he possibly be doing this? I wonder if he does not teach the test or review it with them before they take it. His students even found answers to questions that aren't even covered by the lesson plan. I want to know how.
When he releases his class a full hour before I am read to release my class, I feel like I am wasting their time. But then again their unit sent them here to learn, not to get off at 3 everyday. My students all claim that they like how I teach compared to the way my partner teaches, since he covered for me last week so I could go on pass.
I know why it takes me so long to teach and I don't think that it is a bad thing. I like to teach them things that are not in the lessons, things like no-nonsense leadership and professional development. I think that it is implied that we teach them these things, and explain it in a way that they all can understand. I am not only concerned with teaching them what is on the test, I want to make them the best leaders that they can be. Is that wrong? And isn't that why we are hand-picked for this position?
All these strong feelings and I am still listed as "Excess Personnel". Yeah what a great feeling to see the uselessness of others in this job, but I am the one getting pushed out. What does that say about the future of this course? No one cares about the greater good anymore, just worried about how early they can get off and the ability to ignore their students and the responsibility to train them.
Good luck explaining the downfall of the course next year "Rusty Nail"!
In closing a quote from Gen (Ret.) Collin Powell's 18 Lessons in Leadership
"Command is lonely."
Harry Truman was right. Whether you're a CEO or the temporary head of a project team, the buck stops here. You can encourage participative management and bottom-up employee involvement but ultimately, the essence of leadership is the willingness to make the tough, unambiguous choices that will have an impact on the fate of the organization. I've seen too many non-leaders flinch from this responsibility. Even as you create an informal, open, collaborative corporate culture, prepare to be lonely.
I WONDER WHY IT IS "RUST" COLORED?!!!! Any guesses?!!!
Post Script: They left at 2:00 on the day I posted this. I wasn't done until 4:00.
5 comments:
I plan on coming back later when I have more time to elaborate further, but for now with limited time before I must return to my lonely position, let me just say, well said, both you and Powell.
I really relate to this post and your feelings. Amazing how excelling is looked down on by so many. The lazy.
I agree with what Fianna said.
I've just read your three most recent posts and just have to say "ugh". I'm sorry you're dealing with so much crap right now.
I've been in Kaytabug's shoes being married to someone struggling with stuff AND I've been in counseling dealing with my own stuff to help me get through my divorce. Neither position is fun to be in.
I agree with what Fianna said.
I've just read your three most recent posts and just have to say "ugh". I'm sorry you're dealing with so much crap right now.
I've been in Kaytabug's shoes being married to someone struggling with stuff AND I've been in counseling dealing with my own stuff to help me get through my divorce. Neither position is fun to be in.
Sorry for the double post....
I am sure I was a better pontificator a week ago...but let's see what I can add here.
The failure of our nation to be willing to excel, lead and overall be an example to each other in our day to day lives and the nation as an example to the world, lead us to where we are today.
Our people are slackers, willing to allow the government to lead, not willing to claim personal responsibility, expecting someone else to take the fall for their actions or inaction.
It is easier to blame someone else or leave it to someone else or disclaim any responsibility than owning up, doing what is right and excelling at what you do.
Just barely getting by is the norm.
I do not consider myself of any great intelligence, skill or what have you. The reason I am where I am in my career is because I take ownership, I excel and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get a job done right.
If we, as a nation, individually and then on a global scale could simply have personal responsibility, high standards for ourselves and those among us and lead when we don't want to, or when it hurts to do so, our country would not be in an economic crisis, not have Russia threatening us via Georgia and would be stronger and more able to handle the world as it is currently.
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