The silver lining in the budget crisis

Last week, my school (Cleveland High School) engaged in the first useful PD session of my nine year career. A teacher sent an open letter to the staff asking why we were allowing budget cuts to destroy our school. She argued that discipline had decreased and garbage levels (messes left after nutrition and lunch) increased because most teachers had given up on our school. She demanded that we take back our school and set high standards for student behavior, achievement and cooperativeness. More teachers began responding, and our PD committee took action by forming groups to tackle specific issues within our control.

Our teachers are not waiting for Superman. We realize that we only lose power when we refuse to speak up and take action. I salute that brave teacher for inspiring all of us to take back our campus for the sake of our students and ourselves. Without the budget cuts, we probably would not have been shaken out of our slumber. At times, we need a crisis to wake us up and make us realize how much power we have to make changes to our school environment.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone