Adminfo - and Vice Principals

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A subtle and careful undertaking BCPVPA President Les Dukowski on the inherent controversy in preparing children to take their place as thoughtful and socially responsible citizens. Jacob Bronowski’s intellectual pursuits encompassed both science and the humanities. He died in 1974 at the age of 66 and is probably best known as the author and host of the 1973 BBC series The Ascent of Man. I recall being deeply impressed by the Ascent series and used material from the accompanying print materials in some of my classes — the visual proof of the Pythagorean theorem is particularly elegant. Bronowski’s interests extended far beyond his work in geometry; beyond the precision and proof of mathematics to the ambiguity and controversy of the human condition in society. He is quoted as having said “Has there ever been a society which has died of dissent Several have died of conformity in our lifetime.” There is a science to the practice of education. Application of research and determination of effective practice can often take place in the context of dispassionate academic discussion. The heart of public education, though, is about the human condition. It is about the fundamental undertaking to make the world a better place by preparing children to take their place as thoughtful and sociallyresponsible citizens. There is bound to be controversy. What do principals and vice-principals do on those occasions when educational policies and practices lead to controversy In some instances the controversy does not evoke any strong feeling one way or the other. Other times one may hold strong views and feel the need to speak out. Our positions as school leaders make us both highly regarded and highly visible and our opinions and actions carry considerable weight in the community. Principals and viceprincipals, however have a duty of loyalty to their Boards of Education and cannot compromise that duty. Court decisions have clearly indicated that this duty may restrict a principal’s or vice-principal’s right to freedom of expression. John Judson and Sarah Colman, of the London, Ontario law firm of Lerner and Associates, for the Ontario Principals’ Council, wrote an article for the OPC journal The Register in February 1999. In the article they state “Although your criticisms may be warranted and your concerns wellfounded, you have a duty to your board, as your employer, not to do or say anything that might be detrimental to their interests.” February 08 • Adminfo • 2 The duty of loyalty to Boards, and by extension, to the provincial policies that govern the operation of Boards, does not make us powerless. As an educational leader we will hold strong opinions on policy matters and will feel compelled to act in the BCPVPA Board of Directors 2007–2008 Les Du k o w s k i, President ldukowski@bcpvpa.bc.ca Ma r il y n Merler, President-Elect mmerler@sd22.bc.ca Directors Leslie Andersson andersson_l@sd36.bc.ca Jameel Aziz jaziz@sd73.bc.ca Br i a n Chappell bchappell@sd57.bc.ca Ch e r y l Dew cheryl.dew@sd27.bc.ca Br i a n Ja c k s o n Brian.Jackson@sd41.bc.ca Su s a n Jo h n s e n sjohnsen@richmond.sd38.bc.ca Ch r i s Jo h n s o n cajohnson@deltasd.bc.ca El a i n e McVie emcvie@sd61.bc.ca My l e s Mo w a t Myles_Mowat@sd59.bc.ca Pa u l Ta y l o r taylor_paul@sd36.bc.ca ISSN: 1201-4214
We run the risk of having a particular stand taken as support for a purpose that we had not intended or, worse, making the fact that we’ve taken the stand the new controversial issue best interests of students. What, then, should we do Our most powerful tool is that of influence and the old adage of praising in public and criticizing in private is a good rule of thumb. I’m aware that the nature of school leadership makes us prone to want to take quick and decisive action. I’m also aware that engagement in interminable discussion sometimes appears to be a strategy to quash dissenting views. Pete Seeger, a notable from the time of the civil rights movement in the 1960s said “Down through the centuries, this trick has been tried by various establishments throughout the world. They force people to get involved in the kind of examination that has only one aim and that is to stamp out dissent.” That being said, taking a public BCPVPA_7.5x4.9_B&W 1/15/08 5:10 PM Page 1 stand on a hot issue will not allow a principal or vice-principal to exercise the kind of thoughtful and reasonable voice that can bring parties together over a divisive issue or that can influence decision-makers to change course. Apart from the implications for censure or discipline from our employers, we run the risk of having a particular stand taken as support for a purpose that we had not intended or, worse, making the fact that we’ve taken the stand the new controversial issue. On the other hand, working within recognized and appropriate internal forums with no less commitment and passion and exercising influence through careful, cogent and respectful discussion we have the best chance of making a difference. Controversies in education are messy and complicated. They do not lend themselves to elegant solutions like Bornowsky’s demonstration of Pythagoras nor to the direct action of the 1960s. Dissent is fundamental to a free liberal democracy and, for principals and vice-principals, a subtle and careful undertaking. Membership has its benefits! As a member of the BCPVPA you can experience the benefits and advantages of three superior insurance plans offered through Johnson Inc. Preferred Service Home Insurance 1.800.563.0677 www.johnson.ca/bcpvpa MEDOC® Travel Insurance 1.866.60.MEDOC (63362) www.johnson.ca/bcpvpa Cover art Critical Illness Survivor Plan 1.866.799.0000 www.johnson.ca/criticalillness Our cover art is by Rosie Addiscott, a grade four student at Qualicum Beach Elementary. Our thanks to Rosie, Mr. Boates and Mrs. Mathison, her teachers, and Leanna Garner, her principal, for submitting this work. Home insurance policies primarily underwritten by Unifund Assurance Company. Unifund and Johnson Inc. share common ownership. MEDOC® is a Registered Trademark of Johnson Inc. MEDOC® is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada and administered by Johnson Inc. Johnson Inc. and Royal & SunAlliance share common ownership. Critical Illness Survivior Plan is underwritten by Western Life Assurance Company and administered by Johnson Inc. Some conditions may apply. LRP.01.08 February 08 • Adminfo • 3
Page 1: Adminfo February 2008 Volume 20 •
Page 5 and 6: scoff at any mention that it would
Page 7 and 8: VCR, but then, who needs it. I can
Page 9 and 10: Learning/The unending process Utili
Page 11 and 12: Good news/early childhood research
Page 13 and 14: will become bored because they’ll
Page 15 and 16: hilaration again, the same dedicate
Page 17 and 18: have begun to place real value on t
Page 19 and 20: Enhancing every child’s life chan

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