"Creativity is contagious, pass it on." ~Albert Einstein

Monday, January 5, 2015

The Most Important Question an Administrator Ever Asked Me

Let's flash back to the Spring of 2000.  I was just finishing up my first year of teaching and was on top of the world.  I made it.  I survived!  I was looking forward to spending the summer with my wife @JenBadura and our first born child Caleb just enjoying life.

The only thing holding me back was my end of the year "check out" meeting with my Principal, the late Gary Monter.  I didn't think much about it.  I had done fairly well on my formal evaluation, and received some very positive feedback from the walk-throughs that took place in my classroom throughout the school year.

The time had come. It was my turn to check out.  I entered the office, sat down and after some small talk on how I thought the year went, Principal Monter asked me the following question:

"What are you planning on changing next year?"

I was dumbfounded.  I didn't expect that question.

I didn't know what to say.  After all, I received had received nothing but great feedback on my evaluation.  Why would I have to change anything that I had done?  I thought my first year was great.

I stammered to come up with an answer.  I can't remember what I actually said, it's not really that important, but that question has had a profound impact on me throughout my 15 years in education.

I now know the answer.

As educators, we must be willing to continually change to best fit the needs of our students.  As Mr. Monter said, "that's where the good stuff happens."

Even today I find myself continually trying to change what I do from year to year in the classroom. Not getting stuck in the rut.  Not taking the easy road.

Yes, it's easy to do the same thing year in and year out. Is that what's really best for our students?

So, with the new year, let me ask you....

"What are you planning on changing next year?"


1 comment:

  1. This is so true, Craig, in all professions, not just education. This also makes me miss Gary....

    ReplyDelete

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