Metaphors are more than a form of creative expression of storytelling. They can paint images beyond the current realities to an audience succumbed to the meaning that entrenches to a depth of personal value. There are countless metaphors thrown around in every aspect of our existence to take the description of details to an entirely new level of meaning which we can feel some sort of connection towards, no matter the inaccuracies of the literal meaning of the actual verbatim of the words in the metaphor. We are all waiting to transform into a beautiful butterfly; the spring has come; Pickles are also cucumbers. Some metaphors have roots in deep mythology and oral stories handed down from our ancestors from centuries of tribulations and scorned histories as if our ancestors wanted to give us a comfort blanket of, for and through existence.
We as professionals don’t necessarily start off knowing what path we are about to walk down. We may have great grand illusions of glitz and glam on the path in front of us, only later to find that it was simply an oasis in the distance. Some of us walk into multiple paths forked in this way and that, and you are left to guess which direction is best for you, only to find out you have to double back several times just to keep going in circles. Many of us only go on the path that we are told to go on. We’re told to do this way and that way, no ifs and buts’ about it, just do it or you are off the path to be stranded. Few of us do things a bit differently. We either go off the path to venture, or scarier yet, we completely forge a new path. These are the outliers on the bell curve.
“ We’re told to do this way and that that way, no ifs and buts’ about it, just do it or you are off the path to be stranded.”
Some that venture and wander stay within sight of the safety of the path. They are willing to try the local fruit only reachable just off the path, only to pluck it and quickly scamper back to the path wanting to share with others. They come with the best intentions, the best wishes of sharing is caring, the best for the whole. When they share this delicious fruit, so sweet and plentiful, the group is in gasp. The group says, “The fruit smells weird!” or “That’s not enough fruit!” and even “We don’t need fruit! The path gave us granola!” Saddened, shamed and rejected, the young venturer feels rejected from the group. Their glow has diminished and with their pride in ruins. Slowly they become ostracized for not being really a part of the group because they ventured. They are left to wonder what they can do to make the group happy again for the entire journey, attempting to always work to satisfy the group.
Then there are some who venture off the path throwing the fruit at the group! Saying, “Eat the damn fruit! Eat it all! Eat it and like it!” The group freaks out trying to eat the fruit, bumping into others and choking on the fruit to impress the frantic fruit flinger from the shrubs. The group becomes in disarray and are turned around not knowing which direction they should go now on the path. The group begins arguing and blaming and taking sides over which direction they should go. In the distance, the fruit flinger wanders back off the path to find new groups to feed the fruit to in their most helpful way, not knowing of the repercussions of their actions.
Once in a while, you come across a phenomenon in which the group is just hungry enough to try some fruit with their granola. Slowly they coordinate a plan of working together to make a human chain towards the fruit-bearing tree. They extend outward as a linear extension of themselves, working and supporting each to get some fruit for everybody, all while someone is grounded on the path. They harvested just enough for each of them, making sure to not get too much to weigh them down on their journey, but enough to wet their appetite for the time until they find more fruit further down the path.
“You see so many students work through the grind, and the ones that question what they are really getting out of it, they are quickly labeled as “lazy,” “disobedient,” or even “defiant.””
I get it. Paths are sometimes rather comfortable and convenient. They are reliable for the most part with minimal bumps that can be easily foreseen in the distance. Paths are great for stability and comfort. But I question what would all of our lives be like if we all just simply stayed on the path?
Going against the grain is always difficult, and has often lead to individuals being ostracized for their unique approach to finding the circle within the square. I know all about this. I have been ridiculed, laughed at, and a handful of stern warnings and write-ups for challenging the norm. It’s not easy at any level. By no means do I intend to “stir the pot,” or “ruffle feathers.” I just wanted to try something new, something different, something more meaningful for the students. You see so many students work through the grind, and the ones that question what they are really getting out of it, they are quickly labeled as “lazy,” “disobedient,” or even “defiant.” I took time to listen to their feedback and adapted for the students. It is a huge deal to let go of the power struggle with your students, and the students know this. What I didn’t predict is the ripple effects within the school with peers and administration.
A great deal of the structure of school is set-up with an unspoken hierarchy of power; do what is asked of you, and only what is asked of you. When a student questions this power (and/or a staff member), we adhere a classic power struggle, which obviously spirals into numerous other aspects of managerial criteria’s outside of academics. I offer no expertise on a guaranteed solution to conflict resolution among staff-staff and staff-student relations; nor do I offer any magical elixir to make sure all members of the academic community become a cohesive meld of mind, body, and soul which adheres to the fulfillment of 100% student success where everyone wears the happy face exclusively.
What I will tell you is that doing something different is hard. Expressing different ideas is hard. Trying new approaches is hard. It’s hard not just because of the countless objectified opinions that will be tossed your way, but because of the FEAR of the countless objectified opinions that will be tossed your way. We often don’t take that first step (whatever it may be) simply because we are too worried about the judgments’ and ridicules of others, knowing full well that we know what we want to do. Going about all of my trials and errors has been at most times, very lonely. I would constantly be ridiculed by peers for trying things that others do not do or even trying the same things differently. In most cases peers and admin will look at me quizzically and bewildered, questioning my actions without listening to my thought process or style. One year, I was actually written up for not having enough posters on my walls. I was actually told, “Your room isn’t welcoming.” As I point out the different projects that students built, as I point out the different poster anchor charts students built, and as I explain that the students will be creating their posters throughout the year. This wasn’t acceptable. Students need to be a part of the ownership of the room; the room is ours, not mine. But, I was “challenging authority.”
Doing things differently can lead to some bumpy roads, you can get slapped in the face with some twigs of reality, and you can be hurt. What leads me forward are the students. By no means do I suggest to not listening to peers and admin, but I do encourage creating dialogue. As the old saying goes, “Two brains are better than one.” When the dialogue is toxic it can be very difficult on your psyche. You begin to question everything; your philosophy, pedagogy, methodology, and even others, but most importantly yourself. Are you doing what is best for your colleagues? Are you doing what is best for your students? It’s easy to quickly accept the words of Danny DeVito’s character (Harry Wormwood) in Matilda to fall back in line; “I’m smart, you’re dumb; I’m big, you’re little; I’m right, you’re wrong, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Too often we hear similar comments (hopefully none of you have heard this!), and it is shattering. What keeps me going is that I work for the students first, parents/guardians/families of those students’ second, peers third, and admin last. What I do is not to please admin, but rather spark interest in students. I do not care if admin doesn’t understand what is happening, as long as the students do. My priority is my students, and this is so, so very hard.
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