Fear and Control are Buddies

You have heard that misery loves company. It is true and fear walks very close to control. As I write this post, I am even more convinced that fear keeps teachers from embracing CBC classrooms and it is fear that causes the student's parents to question and even attack the teachers in CBC classrooms.

We had a parent information meeting recently and only a few parents attended. By a few, I mean exactly 5! Granted, it was on the eve of a huge snow storm which led to a snow day, however, I doubt that I would have seen many more if the weather had been cooperative. One parent at the meeting was there just to voice his disapproval of my CBC classroom. He was skeptical about his son's learning. He wanted to see proof! The next day, I looked up his son's score on the scantron test we give three times a year, to measure growth based on our State Standards. The student's scores demonstrated a steady increase in knowledge. I quickly emailed my principal and asked that the parent get a copy of the test results.

I do sympathize with the parents. As an extremely concerned parent, myself, I want the very best education possible for my child. If a teacher had told me that my child was learning under these new parameters, I would be skeptical as well. There was a time when we trusted our educators, but times have changed. If we don't trust our doctors and police officers anymore, why should I expect parents to trust that I am telling them the truth?

I just hope that the end results will be the proof that will back up our efforts. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. (FDR) What a profound statement! I have been conquering fear in many aspects of my life lately. Since CT has helped me to give up control, I have also had to face my fears as well. Mainly, the fear of giving up control. Glasser says that we don't have control any way, we just think we do.