Thank you. This really resonated with me. In 3 teaching jobs I was noticed and labelled as the teacher who questioned things that were labelled non negotiable by senior teachers. I chose to leave those jobs each time and eventually found a school where teachers views were welcomed on how to change the system to improve the teachibg and learning environment .
People can work relentlessly, pour themselves into their roles, and consistently do the work the right way. Yet when leaders lack clarity about who they are and what they truly value, that effort goes unnoticed; or worse, becomes threatening. When leadership is insecure or untethered from a clear moral compass, integrity disrupts comfort. The person who follows procedures, documents accurately, advocates for students, and asks hard questions exposes the gap between stated values and actual practice.
At the same time, if you’re trying to move up, it’s worth asking how many others are vying for the same seat. In crowded fields, systems rarely reward the most principled voice and they reward the safest one. Promotion becomes a numbers game, and when several people are equally qualified, integrity alone is rarely the deciding factor, especially in environments that value harmony over honesty.
Even if it’s a numbers game, I’m not giving up and I’m not giving in to the status quo. I didn’t come into this work to be safe; I came to do it right. Integrity may not always be rewarded immediately, but it remains nonnegotiable.
I hear you. Mine comes and goes in waves - and my fight is to keep it from making me grab those electrical conduits like Grimes did. I figure that's the equivalent of "I'm not going to do any more than the average teacher in this place today..." Yeah, that never lasts, and I hate myself about an hour in, and I'm back to me.
Thank you for posting. I think you might find my book, MindShifting: Conflict and Collaboration examines many of the causes and also some possible remedies
Oh, this was so good, Matt. I never saw this episode of The Simpsons, but I was Frank Grimes. Higher ed is a lot like K-12. And after 15 years in the system, I left.
But you are 100% correct. Other people don't want to see it have no interest in seeing it and will punish you when you try to make them.
Thanks for the nice words. I ran into this the other day when I was presented with the, "Yeah, but this is the company that hired me and pays me, and says, I have to do 'x.'" I get that, but education isn't a widget factory where that might be a workable policy. If policy is harmful to the kids, or not helping them succeed, then I don't feel like I have a choice BUT to speak up.
I have had a checkered teaching career, and will never be Teacher of the Year. I lose that one to Homer, Lenny and Carl every year.
Matt, you sound like a teacher who really cares. And in my experience, systems often have a hard time with people who are passionate and willing to push back when something isn’t working.
But I’m glad there are educators like you in the classroom.
Thank you. This really resonated with me. In 3 teaching jobs I was noticed and labelled as the teacher who questioned things that were labelled non negotiable by senior teachers. I chose to leave those jobs each time and eventually found a school where teachers views were welcomed on how to change the system to improve the teachibg and learning environment .
That sounds terrific, Debbie - so glad you found a home.
You have given me my mantra for the rest of the school year: kids, craft, character. Thanks!
thanks Curtis - good luck!
People can work relentlessly, pour themselves into their roles, and consistently do the work the right way. Yet when leaders lack clarity about who they are and what they truly value, that effort goes unnoticed; or worse, becomes threatening. When leadership is insecure or untethered from a clear moral compass, integrity disrupts comfort. The person who follows procedures, documents accurately, advocates for students, and asks hard questions exposes the gap between stated values and actual practice.
At the same time, if you’re trying to move up, it’s worth asking how many others are vying for the same seat. In crowded fields, systems rarely reward the most principled voice and they reward the safest one. Promotion becomes a numbers game, and when several people are equally qualified, integrity alone is rarely the deciding factor, especially in environments that value harmony over honesty.
Even if it’s a numbers game, I’m not giving up and I’m not giving in to the status quo. I didn’t come into this work to be safe; I came to do it right. Integrity may not always be rewarded immediately, but it remains nonnegotiable.
You hit the core with a laser. Good luck with the coming year
Excellent piece. I was Frank Grimes. I couldn't stand the absurdity anymore and walked away after 17 years as a college professor.
I hear you. Mine comes and goes in waves - and my fight is to keep it from making me grab those electrical conduits like Grimes did. I figure that's the equivalent of "I'm not going to do any more than the average teacher in this place today..." Yeah, that never lasts, and I hate myself about an hour in, and I'm back to me.
Thank you for posting. I think you might find my book, MindShifting: Conflict and Collaboration examines many of the causes and also some possible remedies
thanks Mitchell - I'll check it out.
Bravo, sir, bravo. Season 8 is pure gold. I want to read this again and again
Oh, this was so good, Matt. I never saw this episode of The Simpsons, but I was Frank Grimes. Higher ed is a lot like K-12. And after 15 years in the system, I left.
But you are 100% correct. Other people don't want to see it have no interest in seeing it and will punish you when you try to make them.
Thanks for the nice words. I ran into this the other day when I was presented with the, "Yeah, but this is the company that hired me and pays me, and says, I have to do 'x.'" I get that, but education isn't a widget factory where that might be a workable policy. If policy is harmful to the kids, or not helping them succeed, then I don't feel like I have a choice BUT to speak up.
I have had a checkered teaching career, and will never be Teacher of the Year. I lose that one to Homer, Lenny and Carl every year.
Matt, you sound like a teacher who really cares. And in my experience, systems often have a hard time with people who are passionate and willing to push back when something isn’t working.
But I’m glad there are educators like you in the classroom.
Well done, brother.
thanks. It's stuff that's been on a slow burn for a while, and I was finally able to put it all together...after watching The Simpsons.