Flipping the Switch
On Friday, April 24, 2009 we held our first “Flip the Switch” event. The aim of the Flip the Switch event was to celebrate technology integration at the high school. Both Classrooms for the Future teachers and non-CFF teachers organized lessons to feature technology integration. We built a dynamic brochure with lists of classrooms to visit and observe. I sent countless invitations to legislatures, community members, the School Board, media, parents/guardians, Chamber of Commerce and local university colleagues. After having three bomb threats in the last three weeks, with the last one being the day before, this was an opportunity to showcase the positive educational environment of McGuffey.
I realized two significant things after coordinating and conducting that event. I realized that teachers need a time/event to showcase their lessons and hard work. I also realized that “positive” is not newsworthy and worthwhile to many people. The second is an unfortunate case, but all too true. I would like to explain and expand on each of these realizations.
First, most high school teachers are too busy to open their doors and share successful lessons with each other. They run from class period to class period only to turn around and realize the day is over. The chance for collaboration time is slim. Many high school teachers are also too modest when it comes to best practice. Many feel that their lesson is not “perfect” ( It never will be!) and therefore are not willing to show it to other individuals. Teachers also have the fear of the unknown- their students. Every day is different and who knows how the students are going to act, who is going to act up, who is going to revolt and who is going to cooperate. The risks outweigh the chance to teach another equally certified colleague. Dignity is at stake.
This is where I have decided to initiate more teacher celebrations. Teachers need an easy way to showcase their lessons and illustrate one of many ideas they have produced for their students. Teachers need an excuse to “brag” because they will not do it themselves. I saw excellent and innovative lessons on Friday and we need to celebrate that success more. Is this one reason why teachers are getting burnt-out? They may feel no one cares and there is no support team and they give up, too early for one to assist. Now, if I could just come up with a catchy phrase for these teacher lesson demonstrations….
Secondly, I mentioned I realized that “positive” is not newsworthy and worthwhile to many people. This is the unfortunate case when it came to our Flip the Switch event. We made sure it was during school, when students and teachers were there and we invited over a hundred people from the community. Five members showed up. FIVE! Here we have a special event organized with high quality lessons and a variety of activities and only five community members will show up. I must admit that the five that came were very impressed with the lessons and they were amazed of the things their children were learning. The most frustrating element was that not a single School Board member came to the event. Where are the priorities? What type of message are they sending? I can guarantee that School Board members were present at previous bomb threats. There is no wonder that educators tend to feel their cause is Sisyphean.
I do not want to dwell on the negative, because the event overall was a success to those that participated and attended. We have an excellent educational team at McGuffey High School and we need more events like Flip the Switch to showcase the positive talents of the faculty and staff who work so hard each day for the success of each student.
