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.
Kim
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
