Professionally Driven or Highly Compliant?
A "Go-Getter."
That's how I sometimes hear educators being described by administrators or others. It seems like a positive label - a title truly earned, bestowed upon us by our peers.
But I am leery of such a label.
In other work areas outside of education, I've heard bosses use the term to describe those workers who only need to be told to do something once. I've heard these same connotations used within education as well.
Is the label describing someone who constantly self-reflects on their teaching in order to find areas that can and need to be improved? Or is it simply describing someone who is highly compliant?
Do I seek out my own path of learning? Or do I wait until someone directs me where to go? And once that Point B is established for me, do I sprint to get there with no self-reflection as to Why?
Professionally Driven = I set forth on my own path that I see fit based on my learners' needs. I need no carrot or stick.
Highly Compliant = I set forth on the path determined by someone else who has defined the needs for me. I may not realize it, but I'm guided by that carrot or stick.
Which kind of "Go-Getter" are you? Which one does your building's culture allow?
Jarod Bormann