Idiotic school administrator, needs a history lesson.

[Numo]

josntme wrote:
You don't get to be in administration by being a good teacher, and therein lies the problem with our school system.

Especially true in districts who are trying to fast track people into administrative positions.

[BernDog]

Ammo wrote:
[quote=josntme]
You don't get to be in administration by being a good teacher, and therein lies the problem with our school system.

Especially true in districts who are trying to fast track people into administrative positions.
This has bothered me since I started teaching almost 20 years ago. Being a traveling teacher, I've had the pleasure of working with countless administrators. I really don't think I could count them if I tried. There are a few good ones out there, but more often than not, they moved into administration because they were ineffective teachers. The pay bump doesn't hurt either. Scary.

A good administrator was an effective teacher and had the desire to have a positive impact on the entire school, and usually have clear-cut ideas of exactly what they'd like to do. The word "principal" actually originally meant "principal teacher". Every administrator should have at least some classroom contact on at least a weekly basis. Teach a single class, or just sub occasionally.

[Speedy]

BernDog wrote: A good administrator was an effective teacher and had the desire to have a positive impact on the entire school, and usually have clear-cut ideas of exactly what they'd like to do. The word "principal" actually originally meant "principal teacher". Every administrator should have at least some classroom contact on at least a weekly basis. Teach a single class, or just sub occasionally.

Or at least drop in on a class occasionally. :devil:

[BernDog]

Speedy wrote:
[quote=BernDog]A good administrator was an effective teacher and had the desire to have a positive impact on the entire school, and usually have clear-cut ideas of exactly what they'd like to do. The word "principal" actually originally meant "principal teacher". Every administrator should have at least some classroom contact on at least a weekly basis. Teach a single class, or just sub occasionally.

Or at least drop in on a class occasionally. :devil:
I've had principals where there would be some sort of announcement to see "Mrs. So-and-So" for more information, or something like that, and the kids had absolutely no idea who that was. Not exaggerating, and it's happened with multiple administrators.

[Mini 9]

I wonder if the Amish even KNOW about any of this. They seem to live and die ok.

[Ombligo]

BernDog wrote:
I've had principals where there would be some sort of announcement to see "Mrs. So-and-So" for more information, or something like that, and the kids had absolutely no idea who that was. Not exaggerating, and it's happened with multiple administrators.

We have an Asst. Principal who many students don't even know the name of. She has essentially zero interaction with students, dealing with curriculum and teacher evaluations. Schools seem to be embracing a far more corporate environment. The creativity and enthusiasm is being sucked away. I truly fear what will be lost in the next decade.

[BernDog]

Ombligo wrote:
[quote=BernDog]
I've had principals where there would be some sort of announcement to see "Mrs. So-and-So" for more information, or something like that, and the kids had absolutely no idea who that was. Not exaggerating, and it's happened with multiple administrators.

Schools seem to be embracing a far more corporate environment.
US schools have been following a "factory model" since the dawn of the industrial revolution. Nothing new there.

[kj]

BernDog wrote:
[quote=Ombligo]
[quote=BernDog]
I've had principals where there would be some sort of announcement to see "Mrs. So-and-So" for more information, or something like that, and the kids had absolutely no idea who that was. Not exaggerating, and it's happened with multiple administrators.

Schools seem to be embracing a far more corporate environment.
US schools have been following a "factory model" since the dawn of the industrial revolution. Nothing new there.
I don't think a factory model and a corporate environment are the same thing. Things have certainly changed in schools though. kj.

[cbelt3]

Those who can't teach, administer.
Those who can't administer, run the district.
Whose who can't run the district, get elected to the school board.

etc...

Both of my parents were educators. Neither ever had anything positive to say about administrations.

OTOH, my elementary school career involved many interactions with my school's principal, who was a very nice person. No.. I was not a 'troubled kid'.. I had asthma. And in the 1960's treatment involved... " go lie down until you feel better". So I'd lie down on the cough in the office and we would talk about all kinds of subjects. Mr. Charles Schulz... (no, not the Peanuts guy, but that's why I remembered his name)... I learned a lot from you.

[BernDog]

kj wrote:
[quote=BernDog]
[quote=Ombligo]
[quote=BernDog]
I've had principals where there would be some sort of announcement to see "Mrs. So-and-So" for more information, or something like that, and the kids had absolutely no idea who that was. Not exaggerating, and it's happened with multiple administrators.

Schools seem to be embracing a far more corporate environment.
US schools have been following a "factory model" since the dawn of the industrial revolution. Nothing new there.
I don't think a factory model and a corporate environment are the same thing. Things have certainly changed in schools though. kj.
No, you're right. I guess I was just thinking more along the lines of a factory being a company, and therefore corporate. Not the direct educational comparison, but I guess I just meant that thinking like a factory will end up with certain kinds of people running it at the top.