Earlier this week I listened to public comment taken on the borough assembly’s ordinance to raise the salary of our borough mayor. Those who spoke against the ordinance referenced the peninsula’s poor economy stating that it was not fair for this position to receive such an increase while many residents were economically suffering. On the other side were those who claimed that the raise was justified and that the economy of the borough is perhaps not as bad as people think. One person stated that the borough’s unemployment rate is lower than in previous years and that the pending influx of money from the new oil rig in the Inlet and the bonanza of capital projects for the Peninsula will make things even better. In sum, things are looking up. Without dwelling on which side is more accurate, I was struck by what could be described as those who view things as half-full and those who use the half-empty lens. Both views are at times appropriate, but in education it is a mistake to let the half-empty perspective become pervasive.
Educating our children requires a workforce that is energized and optimistic. A despondent teacher who shuffles through the workday will not help our students nearly as much as one who is in good spirits. Fortunately, when I visit our schools and classrooms I rarely sense a half-empty atmosphere. Never the less, we need to do all that we can to keep things on the half-full side of the equation. The easiest way to do this is to show appreciation for our school employees. When you can, tell them that they are doing a good job.
Keeping Things Half-Full
Earlier this week I listened to public comment taken on the borough assembly’s ordinance to raise the salary of our borough mayor. Those who spoke against the ordinance referenced the peninsula’s poor economy stating that it was not fair for this position to receive such an increase while many residents were economically suffering. On the other side were those who claimed that the raise was justified and that the economy of the borough is perhaps not as bad as people think. One person stated that the borough’s unemployment rate is lower than in previous years and that the pending influx of money from the new oil rig in the Inlet and the bonanza of capital projects for the Peninsula will make things even better. In sum, things are looking up. Without dwelling on which side is more accurate, I was struck by what could be described as those who view things as half-full and those who use the half-empty lens. Both views are at times appropriate, but in education it is a mistake to let the half-empty perspective become pervasive.
Educating our children requires a workforce that is energized and optimistic. A despondent teacher who shuffles through the workday will not help our students nearly as much as one who is in good spirits. Fortunately, when I visit our schools and classrooms I rarely sense a half-empty atmosphere. Never the less, we need to do all that we can to keep things on the half-full side of the equation. The easiest way to do this is to show appreciation for our school employees. When you can, tell them that they are doing a good job.