some children left behind

Public school teachers are dropping like flies, quitting the profession that they carefully trained for at a rate unlike anything we’ve ever seen. As I’ve seen this mass exodus of teachers, I’ve listened carefully to the complaints. One of the biggest ones is this: In public schools, now more than ever, it is nearly impossible to fail a student and hold them back, no matter how much it would benefit them and the teachers.

This is devastating for the classroom. Let’s say there are 20 students in a class, and 5 of them are NOT ready to move on and learn new material. Instead of holding them back and helping them take extra time, teachers are forced to pass these students along with those who are actually prepared. The next year, a new teacher has a choice to make: do they cater to the more advanced students, and just accept that the less adept students won’t actually learn what they need, or will they focus on making sure those 5 students get caught up at the risk of making the other students bored and resentful?

There are other issues too, of course. Administration allows parents and students to bully teachers into submission. Behavioral issues are often minimized or ignored. And . . ..

Wait. Could there be a trend here? 

Teachers can’t say “No,” to passing students who shouldn’t pass.

Teachers can’t say “Stop,” to students misbehaving and distracting others.

Teachers can’t trust Administrators to say, “You aren’t the boss,” to entitled parents and students. (Not that all of them are entitled, mind you. But some of them are, and those ones aren’t held accountable.)

A lack of legitimate standards and consistency of expectations has made it so teachers everywhere want to quit. When standards aren’t upheld–and when exceptions become the NORM instead of the exception–respect for the teacher goes down. How could it not?
I’ve heard the same thing happening at dojos. Exceptions became norms. Standards lowered. Instructors promoted students simply because they were worried that the student (or parent) would be upset if they didn’t.

I won’t let that happen here, and you shouldn’t either. EMBRACE OPPORTUNITIES TO FAIL, BECAUSE YOU WILL FACE THEM REGULARLY IN THIS DOJO.

If everybody earns a Black Belt–no matter their qualifications–then the Black Belt ceases to be something you can be proud of.

If you want to be promoted, stand out with your attitude. ACT like a Black Belt. Show up to classes, be eager to help, and jump at every opportunity. If not, act how you want. Others who want it more will soon pass you up, and I will be happy to help them. I won’t move you up just for the sake of helping you keep your place in the lineup. It would be a disservice to you, to me, and to the entire dojo. You CAN earn it. You just have to make the choice!