The School Board Experience

So, we went to the school bored (sic) meeting at the Fairfield School District Administrative Offices.  I jest, I jest.  Let’s just say it wasn’t as hard-hitting as I would have liked.  The minutes were read, the motions were passed, and not a lot else happened.  There seemed to be very little controversy.  These were people that saw eye to eye on the issues at the meeting or at least viewed them as trivial.  Of the twenty or so items that were brought before the board only about three received any sort of further explanation.  Everything seemed fairly monotonous and ordinary.  Everything had its process, and rarely did it deviate from that.

The range of issues addressed at the meeting surprised me.  I suppose someone has to make these decisions, but they approved everything from pay cuts to field trips and back again.  They hold a lot of power.  Obviously, they rely and trust heavily the opinions presented to them by the superintendent, the treasurer and other staff members, but it seemed in a sense that they might be too far removed to have a stake in what happened.  It almost seemed like they just did what was suggested to them, by the superintendent and business supervisors and moved on.

Obviously, this is a premature judgment (I was there for all of one meeting, I’m not going to begin to pretend I have any of the facts necessary) I would have to be more involved with both the school and the board to understand what was going on.  However, my observations fall in line with what is often criticized of administration – that they (the administration) make decisions without a full understanding of the situation.  But still... I was just at one meeting.

So, sappy conclusion about the purpose that school boards serve. Thank you.  I mean, it does seem necessary.  I think people like process, and having a school board is helpful for a balance of power – it’s important to have checks and balances, and this group of concerned adults of the Fairfield district seemed to fit the bill.  And that’s not sap.  It’s me being honest.

Areas for growth and Areas of success

Thanks for stopping by, this is my Education blog. Yes, that's an uppercase E.  It is assigned for my Secondary Education major. Enjoy.

A couple of the areas under the full nine that draw my attention first are being aware that I’m a role model and practicing democratic principles.  These two are fairly engrained into who I am as a person.  I’ve been in leadership positions (as a Resident Assistant and camp counselor) and I’ve felt the pressure of people holding me to higher standards because of the title I hold and whom they expect me to be based on former actions.  As a person, I’m very aware (often too much so) on how my actions/inactions affect others and what they do and vice versa. I feel, and I think a lot of people do as well, a pressure to stick to the status quo, or at least to act within peoples' perceptions of us.  Because I’ve fulfilled leadership roles and haven’t created reasons for distrust, this pressure has been mostly positive.

In relation to practicing democratic principles, this is something that I do by nature.  I’m concerned about other people and what they want, which creates indecision in myself.  This past year, I was the unofficial spokesperson and translator for my service unit in Paraguay (specifically during the first part of service), and I had to figure out most of the logistics when we went places.  Practicing democratic principles slowed the process down (sometimes the process even came to a grinding halt), but everyone’s opinion was represented in some form.  This created some indecision, as I didn’t want to just go ahead without finding out everyone wants and needs, but it was a step that I had to take.  I have to know others opinions on things they will be involved with before moving on.  Practicing democratic principles can be very broad, and people can give it a number of definitions.  What I define this as is actively seeking the platforms for unheard voices and working to create equity among those you come into contact with.  I’m working at applying this noble goal more fully to my life and not just limiting it to casual interactions that I have.

A couple of areas that I see myself as needing work are becoming critically active in issues (education and social justice) and developing ways to recharge the battery.  I wish I were more involved in the issues than I am.  I get involved, but often when the opportunity is presented to me or when I feel like it’s my obligation.  It is not just that I’m not out marching in protests or getting arrested, but sometimes its just lack of motivation.  I care about the issues... just as long as I don’t have to lift too many fingers to make things happen.  I think part of this is the separation that exists between suffering and myself.  That is a barrier that I need to cross more often.

As for finding ways to recharge the Duracells, I do it... but not effectively.  Time management for me is an area for possible improvement.  I make things take as long as I have time for them by distracting myself through Facebook, messing around and a wealth of other things, creating zero time for true relaxation time.

These last two have importance, because they speak to the future.  By becoming active in issues you work for a better tomorrow and don’t consign yourself to the brokenness of systems.  I think if one doesn’t push his or herself to fight for bigger issues than themselves, their lives are self-centered ones.  And right now, I don’t like where I am at in that regard.  As a professional, it is important to look at the big picture of bettering your environment.  And for finding ways to recharge the batteries, that has obvious implications of not just your current health but also your future health.  If you don’t make those times of relaxation for yourself, burnout is inevitable.