As the sun rose, Superintendent Williams walked outside his house with much on his mind. He did not sleep well last night, as he had to carry through a very difficult decision. In a few hours from now he would shock the community. He would resign from the position of Community Superintendent. He could only imagine the rumors this announcement will inspire.
Matt Williams took a walk and reflected all that happened during his tenure as Superintendent. For seven years he worked tirelessly to change how schools educated children. After much deliberation and discussion he had convinced the community that “we need to look beyond the exams and look inside the child.” That mantra started the change in which schools began to focus on life skills and moved away from the test prep mentality. Numerous schools developed career programs, internships, partnerships with colleges, as well as other interesting opportunities. Numerous education publications lauded his reform efforts.
However, there were several schools that refused to change their ways. One such school was the Burrhus Frederic Skinner High School. Every step of the way Principal Wallstone refused to listen to the Superintendent. She also openly criticized his policies at school board meetings arguing “that monthly testing is the key to student progress.” Additionally, she had business leaders defending her practices making it very difficult to effectuate change at her school.
Despite it all, Superintendent Williams was pleased with the progress his schools made. The Thomas Elkins School of Invention was off to a good start. The school was offering programs and services to high needs students and has been well received by the community.
Despite it all, Superintendent Williams was pleased with the progress his schools made. The Thomas Elkins School of Invention was off to a good start. The school was offering programs and services to high needs students and has been well received by the community.
All of this became irrelevant in the last 24 hours. Yesterday he learned that his youngest son might be grappling with epilepsy. Perchance his son’s school took them to the zoo. When he spoke to the school, the teacher and the aide gave differing accounts of what happened. Additionally, his son recently started taking medicine to manage his on-going problems with Attention Deficit Disorder. Needless to say the recent sequence of events complicated matters. Superintendent Williams was wracked with guilt wondering if he could have done more to help his son with his Attention Deficit Disorder issues. He wondered if the medicine was the right choice and worried that his son may have a mild case of epilepsy. At the same time, he vexed what would happen with the school district in his absence. Ultimately he knew that his child’s welfare deserved his full attention and that he could no longer continue in the position of Community Superintendent. Matt knew that he must keep the unspoken promise every parent makes; protecting their kin by any means necessary.
“All my life I fought this fight
The fight that no man can never win
Every day it just gets harder to live
This dream I'm believing in”
--Bruce Springsteen, The Promise
Coming Soon- Every Thorn has its Rose
17 comments:
As a superintendent I agree with his comment of " we need to look beyond the exams and look inside the child". In schools today I feel we are teaching to the test. We need to also teach life skills.
As a parent you child comes first. I understand his concern for the schools but he needs to take care of his son. I think he is doing the right thing. If he continued to work he might not give it is all because he is worried about his son.
Dawn Stephen
I agree with is view on " we need to look beyond the exams and look inside the child'. I think we are teaching to the test and forgetting that these children need to live in the real world.
As a parent you always place your child's needs first. If he continued to work he might not be able to focus on his task in school because he is thinki9ng about what is happing with his son. I think he is making the correct decision.
"we need to look beyond the exams and look inside the child" I think we are teaching to the test these days. We forget that these children have to live in the real world after the test.
I am glad that he has been trying to change that in the school he is in charge of.
As a parent your child's needs come first. I think he is doing the right thing and giving up his position to take care of his son. If he didn't do this he might not be able to accomplish all he wants to do in the schools because he might be thinking about his son.
The Unspoken Promise was a heart felt article. To me I felt this article was about what is expected to be done and what should be done. The superintendent was trying to change how students were being taught. Wanting hands on, but was dealing with the guilt of his sons condition. Sometimes we have to make decisions that is best for our family and move forward. Putting ourselves aside, as a parent myself I do have to put my life on hold to be there for my children. They need us as parents to be there for them to support and guide them through life.
Tina G
I agree with the Chancellors decision to leave his position and focus on his family and their needs. The work he has done within his school community strengthened the schools that came on board and for the ones that didn't shame on them and they will be the schools that cannot engage students and show successful academic progress.
KelleyS.
It is of the utmost important to do all that is necessary for your children. If I was in Mr. Williams position I would have resigned from my position as well. His son clearly needed him now more than ever. His son's health is more important than any career he could hold. Children become your first priority in life and their well being your most important job.
This was a very important piece to write, and one that all educators (and all people in general) should read. One never knows what is going on in the other person's life. Some people are so quick to judge others and to make a blanket statement on their actions. This piece offered a glimpse into another person's life and his reasons for his actions. It is a vital life lesson to learn.
I agree with Sari. Human beings are very quick to jump to conclusions without seeing the bigger picture. It is great to see educators passionate about making a positive change, however, in this case Superintendent Williams made the correct decision. His son required his attention and his presence on a daily basis. I'm sure his change impacted people that will continue the legacy he created.
This story is a difficult one because we have a man who recognizes that changes needed to be made in the way we educate our children and he was making progress in implementing those changes when he was faced with a very serious personal family matter to attend to with his son’s medical condition. Interestingly, his son’s issues with ADD and Epilepsy go right to the heart as to what he was trying to do as school superintendent. He was trying to find ways to educated those who may need that extra bit of attention and special help in order to learn in his schools, and now he must face the very same issue with his son. The most difficult thing is that he was forced to give up helping an entire community of kids in order to help his own.
Stella Gindel
I completely agree with the superintendent's decision. They are certain decisions that are very difficult to make. But, at the end, one must choose. Because you can't ever make up for lost time. Family first, community second.
Raisa Mykho
A very sad story. Yes,no doubt,the children come first. If one has a family,and chose to have kids,he/she needs to dedicate his /her time to their children even though this one would give up everything else.Not everyone has the same level of achievement.But looking "behind the exams" and looking "inside the child" means creating different programs for learning...and different assessment,
and,YES,different placement on the future.The challenging achievement classes do not have to be cut for any reason. They need to be modified.
Nowadays, too much of an emphasis is put on test taking and grades rather than on quality learning and life skills. Unfortunately, many children become good test takers without having a really good understanding of and appreciation for what they are learning.If we want to ensure that our children apply what they have learned and become productive adults, we must change the way we teach them and not spend so much time preparing them for tests.There is much more to learning than just test taking.
Chaya Dusowitz
I can completely understand the position the chancellor is in and understand the decision he has made. Pursuing a career that involves changing the lives of others takes dedication and can be time consuming. When faced with personal family issues one must make the decision that is best for your family.
I think that Mr. William did the right thing for his child. I understand the “unspoken promise” that your children and family comes first. It is your duty as a parent to be there for your child. Even though, Mr. Williams seemed to be on the brink of something wonderful that will benefit thousands of students. In spite of his struggles with certain school resistance for change, he had to sacrifice this for his child. There was no way he could of done this stressful demanding job and be there for his child. I hope in his absence that the new community superintendent will take up his cause. I hope that his child gets better.
I think he made the correct decision. The foundation begins at home. If things aren't well at home it becomes difficult to commit and deliver to your job and everyday life challenges,without getting worn down. That can create a breakdown in family, health, friends, and ones occupation.
I agree that its more important for schools to focus on its students rather than exams.
I feel bad when people start doubting their instincts. I feel that most people are capable enough to make decisions for their children without consciously leading them into harms way.
I'm sure Superintendent William did a great job being a leader and trying to reform schools to help children and focus less on tests. Many schools followed in his path which I believe is the right way while others like Principal Wallstone has a different opinion. The students should be tested but this test shouldn't impact a student's future to go onto other schools and such. It is sad to hear that Superintendent Williams has to step down from his position due to his child's health. Children do come first and hopefully Mr. Williams can help his son get through the attention deficit disorder. The new superintendent taking Williams place will either have the same goals as Williams or be more about testing. Hopefully the new Superintendent will be inspired by Williams!
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