Cruising through SeaTac airport this morning I read a poster that challenged the notion set forth by The Rolling Stones that you "can't get no satisfaction". The message of the advertisement certainly connected with this rock music fan, but I'm afraid it failed in its mission as I have no idea what it was trying to sell me. But, I digress.
I loved the song "Satisfaction" when I was in high school. Jagger was signing the about the challenges of his youth and mine, the acknowledgment that your circumstances are sometimes out of your control. You can't always get what you want, no matter how hard you tried. And tried. And tried, tried, tried, tried, tried, tried, tried. It's Ok because it happens to everyone. Don't be so hard on yourself.
Reminds me a lot of my teaching experiences. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you don't get your satisfaction. Best plans, best pedagogy, best curriculum and resources, best technology, best prepared students, best intentions...not always the best outcome. Learning objectives unmet, students disengaged, observations not reflective of your usual performance, unproductive meetings or unfulfilling collaborations.
It sure is convenient that Jagger gave us an "out", right? You've tried your best and it didn't work out. It's also crap. (There I said it.) You don't have to settle. Period. As a teacher you have choices. You're an educated professional with an internet connection. You're an employee not an indentured servant. Go out and get your own satisfaction.
Change your circumstances. Transfer to a new school or district. Change grade levels or subject areas or switch from primary to secondary education. Be an advocate for yourself and your faculty or become the administrator your students and school deserves. Refuse to participate in activities that waste your time. Acknowledge the fact that teaching may not be for you and move on to different work.
Change your attitude. Become a connected educator and build a new personal learning network. Surround yourself with solutions-oriented peers. Focus on the positives. Share your successes to inspire others. Seek interactions with people that disagree with you. Capitalize on your personal strengths and passions. Be a critical friend. Ask more questions. Seek to understand before you expect to be understood. Assume the best intentions of others.
Change your goals. Embrace Carol Dweck's work and change your mindset. Say &no& to opportunities that don't make your heart sing. Recalibrate your measure of success. Try something that you are just convinced will not work. Work towards improvement and not perfection.
I'm sure there are many more ideas out there. So, what did I miss?
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