This quote by Bill Murray in Meatballs will be spinning through my head all week:"But it doesn't matter. It just doesn't matter. It just doesn't matter... [chanting]... And even if we win... if we win... HA!... even if we win. Even if we play so far over our heads that our noses bleed for a week to ten days... even if God in heaven above comes down and points his hand at our side of the field... Even if every man, woman, and child held hands together and prayed for us to win it just wouldn't matter because all the really good looking girls would still go out with the guys from Mohawk because they've got all the money. It just doesn't matter if we win or we lose. It Just Doesn't Matter!! It just doesn't matter!! [chanting continues]"
I am going to have to resist the urge to get the crowd chanting this at the various teacher meetings I will need to attend prior to school starting on the 26th. I have attended these meetings for 18 years.
It just doesn't matter.
We will talk about the benefits of extending the school day or the school year.
But it just doesn't matter.
We will argue whether to use direct instruction or a more investigative approach.
But it just doesn't matter.
We will get this year's new program in Math, Reading, Science, etc...
It just doesn't matter.
We will attend many training sessions telling us how to use data to drive our instruction.
It just doesn't matter.
We will use more technology in the classroom than ever before.
But it just doesn't matter.
We will diversify, scaffold, shelter, differentiate, and accommodate for every student.
It just doesn't matter. It just doesn't matter.
None of that will matter because many, many students have figured out that regardless of how little they do, no matter how disrespectful they are, no matter what trouble they cause ... there will be no consequence. They will still have their video games, phones, and TVs waiting for them at home and they will move to the next grade at the end of the year. Those students will destroy the learning experience of the shrinking number of students who want to succeed academically.
Against that, all of the meetings concerning style and materials is just noise.
It just doesn't matter. It just doesn't matter. It just doesn't matter. It just doesn't matter. [Chanting fades]
1 comment:
This post was challenging because it seems so cynical. The challenge is that it also seems very familiar. I struggle with "it just doesn't matter" in many areas of my life and I have to work/pray hard to not let whatever "it" is get me down.
Being a school teacher must be plenty hard. I respect you for doing it!
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