An Open Letter to School AdministrationThis is a draft of an email I've been composing to my building principal. I tried very hard to keep it from being argumentative or provocative, as I don't actually feel that way in my own building. But I do feel strongly about being represented accurately. My principal happens to support Physical Education, Music, and the Visual Arts very strongly in our school. We are very blessed with such support. But we also have to be worthy of support. Our programs must be excellent, no matter the moniker given our "group." I’ve been troubled by the term “specials” for quite some time, but didn’t have any real solutions or coherent thoughts until recently. At times, I feel as if our classes are considered secondary when “compared” with the core classroom subjects. The truth is, there is no comparison to be made. Our class content is different, so really it’s all about contrast. And with that contrast, we have a chance to see how all subject areas work together synergistically in each child. With so much focus on academic achievement (any standardized testing in addition to the high rigor already present), I feel we are in danger of missing the point. We are one stop (albeit a major and lengthy one) in a kid's life. It is my opinion that the Arts, Music, and Physical Education keep us in perspective. Yes, we are a school whose focus is to teach academic subjects, preparing hearts and minds for possible futures (more education, a job, becoming a member of communities, etc). But we all know our lives are filled with much more than education or a job. We are all creative beings. The ability to communicate and express ourselves verbally, visually and physically reflect that. These types of expression are essential to each of us. While traditional academics can be called “Core Subjects,” I believe our three content areas would more accurately be called "Essentials." Again, this in no way implies we have a higher rank over academics. It's about contrast and synergy, our different areas combining to create a more powerful effect together in the growth and development of the children in our care.
8 Comments
Tara Gomez
12/3/2019 07:04:08 pm
Well played, I agree whole heartedly! Thank you for stating how I've felt for a very long time not knowing how to word it without causing misunderstandings. Everytime I hear others state that "specials" isn't a structured class or the misunderstanding that we aren't as busy as general education classrooms because we just teach P.E., it sends me into a defensive mode with no words coming to mind that wouldn't be offensive. Therefore I just bite my tongue in anger because I love what I do and I work hard to ensure my students love it too!
Reply
Cliff
12/3/2019 07:37:33 pm
I think all we can do at that point is prove them wrong by being excellent at what we do!
Reply
Edwina Soto
12/5/2019 06:05:13 am
YES! & THANK YOU!
Reply
Cliff
1/9/2020 05:37:00 pm
You are most welcome! Thank you for reading!
Reply
5/3/2022 11:16:56 pm
Thanks for sharing this useful information! Hope that you will continue with the kind of stuff you are doing.
Reply
12/21/2022 12:39:38 am
İnstagram takipçi satın almak istiyorsan tıkla.
Reply
1/8/2023 05:13:51 am
100 tl deneme bonusu veren siteleri öğrenmek istiyorsan tıkla.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI'm Cliff, an elementary Physical Educator to a ton of awesome students! Here is where you will see my thoughts and ides regarding #physed. Archives
April 2020
Categories
|