The Success of Failure

First I need to comment on the fact that I took down our Christmas decorations today...in 70 degree temperatures. Global warming at its finest.

But moving on:

When I was a sophomore in college, pursuing an elementary education major, I was required to take an microeconomics course as part of my general education requirements. I didn't think then, and I don't think now, that there really was any purpose in my taking this course. It's not something that I'm going to ever really use. The class was filled mostly with business majors, for whom the information was "cake." I went to the professor at the beginning of the course, seeking help. The professor, a youngish, kind, sympathetic type, told me "Oh, don't worry. I don't really expect you to get it. I know you El. Ed. majors are better at coloring than at economics."

Well.

I put more effort into that class than I did into anything else that semester. Hours of reading, studying, study groups, analyzing data, and interpreting stock market figures. And I got an A.

I don't handle failure well.

This week at work, I had a post-observation conference. We are a target school this year, which, though a really long story, results in us getting lots and lots of (unwanted) attention from the almighty powers that be of district administration. The week before Christmas, I was observed by one of the Language Arts coordinators for the district. When she met with me again on Thursday of this week, she told me, essentially, that I had a good rapport with the kids... but I was doing everything else wrong. Oh, but don't worry. She found that nobody in the upper grades was doing it right.

All stop.

What do you mean I'm doing it all wrong? I'm responsible for the reading success of over HALF of the fourth grade class, and I'm doing it all wrong?!?! This cannot be good. Now, in my defense, all this must be taken with a grain of salt. There's alot more to this story than apperars here. Nevertheless, change is necessary. Unfortunately, the other fourth grade language arts teachers on my team don't feel the same way. They're choosing to ignore any and all advice, very loudly voicing their offense, and continuing to do things the way they've already done them. No help there.

Did I mention I don't accept failure well?

So today, after a trip to Borders to pick up some needed help, I'm ready to arm myself with a new plan of action.

If I go down, I'll go down trying!