How many responsibilities can you track at once? And of that number, honestly, how many do you think you can track well? Coming from the private sector, I’ve always had a value of doing a few things well rather than many things in mediocrity. Far too often I’ve seen quality sacrificed on the altar of quantity and working in public schools is not exception to that rule. No one multi-tasks well. That’s a sociological fact. We can get better at routines of sequences that make it appear that we’re good at multitasking, but when anyone is thrown into an unfamiliar situation (like most substitute teachers are) there will be a few fumbles while the ropes are being learned. I don’t know a person on the planet who can possibly track all gauges imposed upon public school teachers (and Subs) these days. To "meet or exceed" expectations requires an attribute ascribed to deity – omniscience! And I do think I’ve met a few public school administrators who are diluted into thinking they are all-knowing. One of the common laments I often hear even from teachers –even veteran teachers (more and more), is the sad-but true reality of “paperwork” replacing “people-work” in their respective roles at school. My 15 year old son recently got his driving permit. I've been warning him about the greatest driving hazard in AZ -SNOWBIRDS! I'm also trying to train him about the importance of reading interpreting certain gauges on the dashboard –especially when he is driving. Gauges are meant to be glanced to gain data that will not only to help us arrive at a destination safely, but also (as I often remind my son) as important indicators that something serious may need our attention - like …. “SLOWING DOW
Of all the gauges we might choose to pay attention to in our lives, there are few gauges that are more important and vital to sustained excellence in the classroom (or life in general) then these three time-honored realities:
Of all the gauges we might choose to pay attention to in our lives, there are few gauges that are more important and vital to sustained excellence in the classroom (or life in general) then these three time-honored realities:
NUTRITION EXERCISE SLEEP
Conservative estimates in many solid studies reveal we can expect to experience at least a 30% increase in energy if we would simply honor these three pillars of good health with discipline and consistency. Could you use that kind of boost in your energy levels in the classroom? Flip that number around, imagine if you were to have your current energy depleted by 30% -- how would you perform as a teacher? It’s a sobering reminder that establishing priorities in our lifestyle, outside and inside the classroom can have a dramatic impact on our effectiveness in making an impact in a student’s education.
Bear Grylls (of “Man vs. Wild” fame on The Discovery Channel) told Men’s Journal (April, ’09) about a discussion he had with Olympic athletes about preparation for world-games. Grylls writes, “15 years ago, they used to think competitive performance was 80% training, 20% nutrition. Now most world-class athletes will tell you that sustained excellence requires a commitment of 75% nutrition and 25% training.
I’m not sure what gauges are prominent or illuminated on the dashboard of your life, but if you’re like me, too often I sacrifice the “good” on the altar of the “excellent” by tracking the wrong gauges for too long while at the same time, becoming indifferent to areas of my life that should be more attended to. We can fill our lives with lots of busy activity, but at the end of the day, all of that activity may amount to nothing more than a hill of beans if it hasn’t accomplished the “big-picture” vision we have in making a positive difference in a student’s life. When my son is in the driver’s seat, I can’t do the driving for him –I can only guide him in learning the good habits that will enable him to be a good driver. In the same way, this kind of self-leadership must be done by each one of us individually –no one is going to do it for you. Let these gauges remained clear, fixed and illuminated on the dashboard of our lives. None of us can afford the luxury of ignoring them.
