Jon Schoening’s Educational Blog

A school’s culture is influenced by many factors, many of which, actually mostly of which you have zero control over. The truth be told you have little power to control anything other than your perception and interaction within your school. Negativity and low expectations are a cancer among a staff of teachers. If you teach in a community that is living in poverty, there is nothing you can do about the income level of your students, but you can set high standards and give the students a sense of pride in their accomplishments and accolades. You have no control over what happened to Little Suzy before she got on the bus that morning, but you can control what happens when she gets to school. If the staff is not collaborating, then you need to provide the opportunity and make the invitation. If the atmosphere is toxic and negative, then you have the power to ignore such attitudes and become that beacon of joy and positive light. Inspire not only your students, but your peers as well. Don’t let circumstances outside your control steal your joy. Change can begin with one person’s vision and example.