Service Advice

When you have a problem with your car engine, you seek the advice of your optometrist.  When you have issues with your plumbing, you seek assistance from the mail carrier. When you have a toothache, you visit the baker.  When you have halitosis, you visit the psychiatrist. When you have issues with your car, you take it to the barber.  When you have the flu, you communicate with the traffic cop.  If you need legal assistance, you see the taxi driver. When you need help with your income tax return, you seek help from the roofer. If you need surgery, you schedule an operation with the carpenter. When you need help with your golf swing, you get lessons from the seamstress.   When you need to pour concrete, you seek out the nearest maker of fine chocolates.  When you cannot see straight, you go to the proctologist. Hmm, that last one may make sense.  Obviously, there is nothing logical about any of these.  Why?  In these examples, people are looking at the wrong source for assistance…kind of like asking me for advice on hair care.

It is important to seek advice from the right people. When teachers need assistance, where do they turn?  A wise man seeks the counsel of many…if they are qualified to give that counsel.  Never put yourself on an island.  Seek assistance when needed as there is no penalty for asking. In fact, it is encouraged.  We have so many talented people here to point you in the right direction.  Start with your teammates. They share the same kids. Try your department  colleagues. They share the same subject. Work with your grade level common subject area teachers. They share the same curriculum. Ask your Principal – he honestly cares about your growth as an educator.  As the school year approaches our final weeks, I am sure that you have reflected on the many lessons that you have taught and the many relationships that you have formed; both with students and staff.   You may be thinking, “How can I do that better?”  “How do I want the next school year to begin?” “What do I need to leave in and what do I need to leave out?” Toward the very end, pose these types of questions to your students. Ask them what lessons were most meaningful and which ones just didn’t move them. Warning on seeking advice – be prepared to hear some things that you did not expect to hear. Seek advice of the appropriate people.  They will give you the most meaningful advice.