CHRIS
TOY
Diary #19
Dog-Gone Dilemmas
It was a busy
week with a full range of issues and dilemmas -- but come to think of
it, what week in a school isn't busy and filled with dilemmas?
I was sitting in a team meeting, listening as teachers discussed the possibilities of different teaming configurations, given that we will probably need to add a teacher to the team in the next couple years.
It was great that the teachers were taking the opportunity to think well ahead. We seldom get to be proactive. They turned to me and asked what I thought. At that moment, my secretary called me from the office. As I was leaving the room, I mentioned that it might be a good idea to see what the current literature and research has to say about the effectiveness of various teaming configurations. That would come back to haunt me.
By the time I handled the issue in the office, the team meeting was over. I had a few minutes, so I asked the team leader how the discussion went after I left. I was taken aback when I learned that my comment as I left the room really left the team feeling bad. The feeling seems to be that I undervalue their personal experiences and place too high a value on the "research" and the "current literature."
There was also a feeling that I should simply come right out and state my opinion when issues arise. I do a fair amount of reading and there are many things I pass along to the staff to read, should they be interested. I guess some of the teachers feel I have an agenda based on what I happen to send along. Most of the time my agenda is to let people know what the current discussion is regarding middle level education, philosophy and practices.
I thought it was very interesting that the team leader felt it would be best if I put my opinion right up front -- before the discussion started. I had always felt that by voicing my preferences first I would unduly restrict or influence the process. The team leader suggested that I frame the question and give my thoughts, but end them with a statement that I am open to changing my mind after hearing other ideas and possible solutions. Her point was that it feels more up front and honest to the staff if they know where I stand as they begin their discussions. This makes sense to me. I will try this out the next time we begin to grapple with a thorny issue.
"The place went nuts"
From time to time I get calls from parents concerned about the presence of animals in our building. We have snakes, rats, frogs, fish, ferrets, rabbits, turtles -- a real menagerie. Staff members frequently bring their dogs to school as well.
Up until this week I had been able to address concerns by arranging rooms and schedules so contact has been kept to a minimum when concerns have been raised. In instances where the concern was not medical I have been able explain to parents how students' contact with animals helps many students to make connections within the school.
This week a parent called to let me know that her child was very allergic to the dogs that were brought in by staff members. She knew how much other children and the staff valued having pets in school, but she had been giving her child medication for the allergies and felt it was unreasonable to continue doing so. I had to agree that when it came down to choosing between pets and even one student's comfort at school, I had to choose the student.I told the parent I would put out an announcement that pets would not be allowed in school. The parent wanted more than an announcement. She wanted a policy banning pets in the middle school and if possible all the schools.
I explained to her that, at this point, there was no policy anywhere in the system regarding animals in school. I also explained that I would prefer to deal with this issue on a case-by-case basis due to the benefits of having animals in the building. She understood my position and appreciated my decision, but said she would probably pursue this with the superintendent and the school committee.
The interesting part happened when I made the announcement that, due to a severe allergic reaction to dogs by a student, dogs could no longer be brought to school. The place went nuts.
There were email discussions bemoaning the loss of pets in the building. Staff members listed the benefits to the children, wondering how one child's needs could result in denying these benefits to the entire student body.
Within a day there were posters everywhere begging me to let the animals stay, that they were loved by all, and that it was cruel to keep them away. There were some private emails expressing relief that pets were no longer allowed in the workplace. A couple of others said they understood why I had to ban pets under the circumstances. I finally did take some time to explain my decision, and perhaps I should have done so right up front. No one has disputed my explanation, at least not since Friday.What was most interesting to me was the time, energy, and passion people put into this issue. On the scale of middle level vision and mission, where does this fit among things such as integration of curriculum, effective practices, differentiation of instruction, teaming, scheduling, and a host of other key issues?
I'm thinking maybe I should make some announcements along those lines and see what kind of responses arise.
