Prelude to the New Year

As I prepare to publish my first blog of the year in the next few days, it seems appropriate to restate what this forum is, and is not, about.

Since I first started this writing adventure seven years ago, it has evolved. Our readership has grown from an average of 100 (basically, the teachers and staff at McCoy) to an average of about 2,000. We’ve had a few posts exceed 10,000 readers.

Given that broader audience, the reader experience has changed.

I struggle with that.

Many people have opinions about what my writings should…and, of course, shouldn’t…speak to. I get that. In many cases, I am writing about the most important part of your life. And you have strong feelings about that. That’s fair.

But I believe that for the integrity of the writings, and therefore I hope the quality and impact of these writings, I must stick to my intent and my foundations.

And though my intent is to write in a way that is ultimately positive for the kids, the community and my colleagues, please reflect on this for a moment; writing is an art, not a science.

I will occasionally miss the mark.

That may mean you won’t like all I say. It might result in you being uncomfortable with my reflections or disagreeing with my points, or methods.

I think that’s ok.

So, you might rightfully ask, what is my intent?

I want “regular” people (meaning, people who don’t work at a school) to genuinely experience what really happens inside of a school. And while we do great things there, it is not all good. And we need to be honest about that.

I want those of you who do not have a daily experience in the “school world” to hear these things so that you will better understand that world. And I want you to understand so that when you are called upon to make decisions about school, whether individually about your kid or as a community member about the system in general, that you will have a deeper and more realistic context against which to make that decision.

I will tell you funny stuff. I will tell you sad stuff. I will tell you things that might upset, disturb or even scare you. And I hope, occasionally, I will tell you profound stuff that might really impact your thoughts on school.

Because that’s what school is; funny, scary, sad, profound.

I have a unique position, I believe, to speak to these things openly. I am embedded in our schools at a front-line, in-the-ditches level. I am beholden to the same State laws and regulations regarding confidentiality and other issues as the staff. But I am immune to employment, advancement or any other vulnerabilities that affect the staff.

So I can speak when they cannot.

I will write as rawly as I believe I can. I do not (although clearly I should) employ an editor. And I often write in the moment; just a few hours after the experience. So again, that may mean I miss the mark, but I think the tradeoff is worth it; it is real and as unprocessed as I believe it can be while still being available for mass consumption.

I write these blogs as a dad and a volunteer. Although I hold other positions in the school system, it is important to state clearly that I do not write as a representative in any way of the school or of the district. This is just….me. Please do not misconstrue my musings as any thing other than just that…they are just my musings.

I am sensitive to your individual privacy and your trust in me. I will violate neither, and if you believe I did so even in the smallest way, you need to tell me. I promise I’ll be responsive to your concern.

With all that said, I hope you find my writings engaging. And I hope they help those of you outside of the school world better understand that world. And I hope that I express, at least sometimes, things that those of you who are in the school wish you could say.