Silent Conspiracy

In Justin Baeder's recent conversation with teacher and writer, Alex Kajitani, brings up the concept of a "silent conspiracy." He defines it as the idea that if someone doesn't rock the boat - whether they be a teacher or a student - they can just get by. Even if everyone knows about their lack of suboptimal performance, they will get a pass because of their easy-going nature. This struck me as a tremendous truth and a challenge for leaders.

As a leader, it has been easy to remove the obvious obstacles to the grow of our school and community. A teacher emotionally abusing students? Easy to fire. A teacher lacking in classroom management and not showing growth? Parents are glad to see their name off the website. The student fighting and hurting other kids? The exhale following an expulsion is audible from parents and kids.

What about the teacher who teaches like its 1950? Whose pedagogical instinct is to grandstand and lecture for thirty minutes? Who can't define a formative assessment or objective?

These staff members can be just as much a stumbling block to excellence as the ones who succeed in being obvious targets for ouster and turnover - if not more so. It truly can be a silent conspiracy which shrouds the person is acceptance even as it recognizes the overall weakness the person has in contributing to the team and the well-being of the students.

I think part of the conspiracy is the way such teachers can provide as a fallback option. Other teachers can feel safe and secure that if they relax, if they do less than their best, if they fail in some way - that teacher is there and can provide a role model for the acceptance of relaxed standards.

In the end, the question that has evolved - especially as a parent - is "would I feel comfortable with my son learning in this class?" There are more rooms that I would say yes to. As currently constructed, the answer is not a universal yes, however.

Our focus next year will be rigor and I believe I need to set an expectation that pushes the school forward academically in a way that we have needed. We cannot accept mediocrity, even if it is one that is polite, respectful, and doesn't rock the boat. Silent failure to succeed is still a failure. We must demand more for our students, our children, and ourselves.