The Paradox of Autonomy

Hey y'all, I'm back- coming to your inbox each week to bless you with my yap-yap and slap-slap! (Dang, I should have been a radio DJ in the 50s)

For those new to MCRSD, I send a weekly newsletter that I try to align with our four pillars; Caring Culture, Safe Climate, Inspirational Instruction, and Equipped for the Future. Oh, and I always start the newsletter with some kind of reflection and intended inspiration. Sometimes people like it. Other times not. Anyway, here it is.

At the turn of the century (those of us over 40 call it the 90's), I was teaching in a school with a pretty great principal. She prioritized teacher autonomy and innovative teaching. I loved her—most of the time. 🤪

After an intense staff meeting where the principal worked to get our input on the school mission, vision, or something like that (cut me some slack, it was 20 years ago), I walked to the parking lot with some colleagues. They complained about how long and tedious the meeting was and that the principal should just tell us what to do. (I probably chimed in because I am a pleaser like that.)

I thought about their statements as I drove home. Yeah, it would take less time and be more efficient if the principal said, "This is who we are, this is what we do, and this is how you do it." But ugh. I had worked in a system like that and hated it. I felt like a factory worker (no disrespect) rather than a creative teacher. District scope and sequence, pacing guides, aligned objectives written on the board, blah, blah, blah. One size had to fit all, even if it didn't. You better comply or else.

My principal was giving us the opportunity for autonomy and creativity, but some didn't want it. It was too hard. They didn't have the capacity for more intellectual work. And that was totally fair. Teaching is hard and more stuff on teachers' plates ultimately takes energy away from the kids.

But those same someones also complained when that autonomy was taken from them, and they were forced to comply.

So what's the balance between autonomy and burnout? No, seriously, I want to know. If you have the energy to fill out a VERY brief questionnaire, I would love to hear your thoughts.

My hope for you is that every single day you feel that you have the autonomy to do what you love to do and, more importantly, that you have the energy to do it. ❤️