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Saturday, August 13, 2011

Rain Dancing

This post is dedicated to my daughter Lana. She is twelve years of age. She‘s entering 7th grade. I will turn her over to your care soon--Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M.-3:30 P.M.  Holidays excluded.

Taylor Swift, as quoted by Lana, said something like this….”Life is not about surviving the storm, it’s about dancing in the rain.” It rains a lot in my school district. Some of us here pull out our umbrellas and pretend it isn't raining. But it is. It probably rains where you are too. Here we have thunderstorms and lightening and we run for cover. We have floods and we bail out. We even have hurricanes in my school district and we rebuild. Mostly though, we have rain. We have the daily rain of children coming to us ill prepared--nutritionally, emotionally, socially--to learn. Yet they come. We have children coming to us from circumstances that, if we truly considered them, would compel us to just stop. We would allow children to be people first to us--not just "level ones and twos." Still though, they come--the ones, the twos, the threes, the fours and the fives.  They all come--hopeful, eager, resilient.

We would also remind ourselves that children are living very different lives than we did at that same age. We would acknowledge that we ourselves, like our children, are overwhelmed with testing and standards, rubrics and pacing guides: RTTTs, IPEGs, RtIs, FCATs….on and on and on. It’s never going to stop raining, Let's not pretend that it will. So, back to Taylor and Lana.

In the rain with you is my Lana--my exasperating, exquisite and vulnerable child. Here are some things you need to know about her. She says reading is boring. Please help me with that. She’s crazy for Justin and Selena (Yes mom! They are dating!). And she and her brother Ben are the light of my life. My daughter Lana, she's a rain dancer that girl. Let’s dance with her.

 Next Sunday, Mr. Bully Boss and Captain Effective Leader will return to tell us about "The Gate Keeper." And then--my beloved son Ben.  Until then....go ahead and get a little wet.Wink

Kim
10:05 pm edt          Comments

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Can't you do anything right?! The Constant Critic

Good Morning!  Let’s get right back to the business of identifying bullying leadership styles.  We’ve taken a look at “The Screaming Mimi” and “The Two Headed Snake.”  Today we’ll take a look at “The Constant Critic.”

 (enter Mr. Bully Boss) 


B.B.-‘IT’S ABOUT TIME!  CAN’T YOU DO ANYTHING RIGHT?! Do you really think anyone is actually READING THISSSSSSSS?!  A kindergartener could do a better job.  I may have to write you up. We’ll talk later. I‘ll make certain no one else hears that conversation.  Deny, deny, deny.  That‘s my motto."

 
M.E.-   “Mr. Bully Boss, I am confused.  Today we were supposed to talk about the Namies’ “Constant Critic” bullying leadership style.  You however are, in addition to criticizing me, screaming like a Mimi and hissing like a snake.” 

B.B.- “That’ssssss right sssssweetheart.  The Namies say I’m talented!  I can do all  four of the bullying styles with ease. Back and forth. Over and over.  I am skilled that way!  I’ve had lots of practice.  I must say however that “The Screaming Mimi” is my favorite.  The “Two Headed Snake“, though, can be quite satisfying. IT’S NOT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND! A KINDERGARTENER WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IT BY NOW!”   

M.E.- “Mr.Bully Boss, I know I have asked this before.  Why do you treat me and others so duplicitously and egregiously?” 


B.B.- “How many times do I have to tell you?   I'M THE BOSS, STUPID!  I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT! 

 
M.E. (perkily)- “Oh, yes.  Now I remember!”  (to M.Y.self-wistfully)  What would it be like to work in a place of…..”Effective Leadership”?

 (enter Captain Effective Leader.  He’s smiling) 

C.E.L.-”I continue to be impressed with your efforts.  It takes courage to address these issues head on.  Thank you Kim.  What can I do to help?”

 
M.E. (to M.Y.self)-”Wow.  Thank you Captain Effective Leader.  I needed that.”

Next up....a back to school pep talk.  Maybe you need that.  I know I do....... 

Until next Sunday,
 
Kim
7:09 am edt          Comments


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