Sharing Good Practice
“ traveling ” often takes place when educators , unknowingly enter La Tierra Firma Envidia , The Land of Envy .
Teaching is more than a noble profession . It is a conscientious committed existence . The shock new teachers endure begins when the malodorous minefields present unforeseen hazards due to cohorts or administrator ’ s discontent . “ What did I do wrong ? The parents and students love me .” “ Well you kind of STAND OUT . You have a presence . Don ’ t be so obvious .” There are legions of burgeoning scholars who have not been properly taught because the best teachers are derailed from classrooms due to social conflict . The end result is students do not receive the instructors who are willing and available to teach and who will help them grow scholastically and emotionally . At times , demonstrated preferential selection ( blocking ), prevents the most connected teachers ( those with great academic , emotional and cultural intelligence ) from entering certain classrooms . ( It is important to note the “ best ” teachers are not always those with the most letters and certifications behind their names .)
Administrative envy , internal juvenilestyle jealousy , assumptions , isolation , backbiting and backstabbing among colleagues creates mountains of mistrust and that aforementioned malodorous minefield of discontent . Retired , renown special education teacher , Rita Correa , is one of perhaps thousands of teachers who experienced first-hand the effects of academic envy . While there were also good colleagues in her corner , disdain and surreptitious sleight of hand and resentment , surfaced because of her educational achievements , salary and / or ability to connect with and empower her former charges . Unfortunately , there are many educators mistreated and under duress due to the behaviour of insecure colleagues and directors . If this is you , remember , “ WE TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO TREAT US .” Only those who deserve you , should get you .
To analyse the roots of envy let ’ s look at our own reflections and dig DEEP . Let ’ s make time to reflect upon our internal , childhood , familial and / or self-inflicted wounds . If we are the envier (“ Subject ”), as the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy suggests , we may choose to analyse whether or not the objects of our discontent reflected in our marred mirror are really the faces of colleagues or the representation of something or someone else .
Noted educators and psychologists Dr . Na ’ im Akbar and Dr . Wade W . Nobles have opined that psychology is the “ illumination of the human spirit .” If this is so , what can we illuminate from envy ? Are the envious behaving in a “ normal ” way or are they the product of what Dr . Na ’ im Akbar perceives as “ Anti-Self Disorder ?”
In The Metaphysics of Morals , German philosopher Immanuel Kant wrote , “ Envy is a propensity to view the wellbeing of others with distress , even though it does not detract from one ’ s own . [ It is ] a reluctance to see our own well-being overshadowed by another ’ s because the standard we use to see how well off we are is not the intrinsic worth of our own well-being , but how it compares with that of others .” In the school-house the collective “ good fortune ” is our scholars ’ achievements . Why should one be envious over another teacher ’ s ability to enlighten or empower a child ? Should not a colleague ’ s abilities inspire us onward ?
If , “ education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world ,” as 1993 Nobel Peace Prize winner and former President of South Africa , The Honorable Rolihlahla Dalibunga “ Madiba ” Nelson Mandela assured , what legacy will children be left with if “ Envious Educators ” in positions of power are allowed to disrupt the positive pedagogy paradigm ? A legacy of scholars or sciolists ?
Excuse me for a moment , legendary elder professor Dr . Adelaide Hines Sanford is speaking ; Lisa , “ when we reflect on who we are , who we teach and what we are teaching , we must be very careful and ever mindful that we do not create arrogant , educated technicians . Rather , we must build a brave new world by first making sure that the builders grow . Those who make policy , those who hold the purse strings , and those who teach must also grow , and that growth begins with relationships .”
Will we allow E-go and Envy ( which goes no farther than the letter E ) to intercept our scholars ’ futures ? Educators , parents and invested partners worldwide must decide what are the true goals for our pupils . Let ’ s “ check ” Envy at the door .
Author Lisa Williams drops the literary microphone when she clarifies , “ The purpose of education is to give and pass on an education .” It is not designed to get high on your degree or covet favoured students for glorification . Let ’ s free ourselves of envy so students will learn and soar because we had the courage to get out of our own way and allow another teacher to touch the future . It is time to create sacred spaces , have authentic conversations and build sincere relationships .
As an Orton-Gillingham trained Learning Specialist , Lisa-Fátimah specializes in designing multisensory English and Spanish language development lessons , modifications and assessments for traditional and Dyslexic students . Her radio shows highlight the primacy of girls ’ education , bilingualism and world language acquisition for a global audience . Email : 1skyscholars @ gmail . com .
Class Time | | Mar - Apr 2018 | 21