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Caring Too Much About What Other People Think
And trying to change it
In my current role in special education, overseeing students getting their appropriate services and supports based on their disability, a certain situation has played out a million times.
The teacher wants to embrace very high standards of academic performance and achievement. The student is struggling with the difficulty of the teacher and the consequences of their student failing this teacher’s class on their future. The parent is unhappy and is complaining. My administration is looking to me and my team for a resolution to the situation and a plan to move forward to increase the chances of student success.
In that situation, I have had to be the person who has had to keep others happy a million times. I need to not step on the toes of the teacher and respect their autonomy in their instruction and systems. I need to make sure the student is getting adequate support. I need to make sure the parent is as happy as possible and that I acknowledge their grievances while moving forward towards a solution to their grievances.
But that is my job, and I have long been that way in my personal life for many years, as well as a marathon runner, writer, and also as a friend and husband.
