Uncomfortable Conversations

Proverb: short popular saying, usually of unknown and ancient origin, that expresses effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought.

During my devotional  the other day I was struck by the meaning of a proverb and how it applied to my life currently.  The verse was from Proverbs 27:17. It says: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” When I researched what that meant, it did what a proverb usually does…made something that was commonsense very clear to me.

     A good friend is not someone who necessarily agrees with everything you do and say--it's somebody who lovingly challenges you to be a better person. We grow in maturity when we can test our thoughts and ideas against another person, and when we're open to correction when we're wrong.

     I have to admit that right now is not the most fun time to be a Principal. It is appraisal time in our school district, and we are in our infancy of using Charlotte Danielson's Framework for Teaching. The framework stresses that effective teaching is solid teaching. As for Highly Effective, to quote Charlotte Danielson, “some teachers may never achieve it consistently….it is a good place to visit, but don’t expect to live there.” This is a difficult concept for teachers to grasp. Danielson's premise is based on her belief that teaching is so very complex that it is nearly impossible to sustain a highly effective classroom--instead we see glimmers of these traits periodically.

     With that said, I DO recognize that not everyone welcomes conversations about areas for growth. This is just the 2nd year we have been using this Framework, and it causes some very uncomfortable conversations for teachers. Prior to this evaluation system coming on the scene, educators went in their classrooms and taught. Some teachers have not been observed in decades. For those folks, it is important that they know that the leadership's intentions are good and fair. 

     Speaking for myself, I love our school, I am proud of our teachers, and when I challenge them to grow, it is because I want to be the best boss possible. Being the best means that sometimes I must deliver uncomfortable news. I assure you, it would be much easier to rate everyone as perfect.  However, iron sharpens iron and a good boss sharpens their employees. :O)