I never understood why some administrators think demeaning and demoralizing people is a way to make them perform better. Mr. Talented is a good, kind teacher. He works hours on his lessons and is always surrounded by students who come for extra help. Because of his success with difficult students, the ones who present the biggest challenges are often put in his class.
Mr. Talent doesn't do what he does for any special rewards but he also doesn't expect to be constantly put in the spotlight because his statistics are not as good as others in his department. Yet, this is exactly what happens every time his department meets. Oh, his supervisor tries to be slick. He never mentions Mr. Talent by name but his description of the man leaves little to the imagination. There really is nothing more Mr. Talent can do. If his supervisor bothered to look at the academic history of the students in Mr.Talent's classes, he would see that Mr. Talent has succeeded where others have failed. But, this time of statistical evaluation takes work and ability, something the supervisor is unable and unwilling to do. He prefers humiliating the Mr. Talent and hopes this humiliation will force him to leave. What the supervisor fails to realize is that many of these kids will keep on failing and one of the best teachers will no longer around to succeed with others.
It is a wonder how this supervisor got his job and manages to keep it. Many years ago I taught in a school with a difficult AP. The Principal held her accountable when good teachers left or transferred. But then, principals cared about education. Now, it is just a numbers game. And, the way this supervisor behaves, he is doing his best to keep the numbers up. So what if the best leave. Teachers are dispensable. There will always be a new one around to pick of the slack and take the blame.
(Picture was taken on path by Cross Island Parkway. Trees are snapped like twigs.)
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