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Sunday
Jul202008

What will you leave behind?

DateSunday, July 20, 2008 at 03:35PM

legacy.jpg

 

The last post asked: "What skills do you have and contributions do you make that make you essential to your organization? Like most people, I would like my boss to regret eliminating me or my position should he make the misguided decision to do so.

But I also look at this from another perspective. Were I to suddenly disappear from my place of work, my community or my family, I would hate to think that the people I care about would be left in a difficult situation. 

There is some irony in these observations:

  • The proof of effect parenting is independent children.
  • The proof of effective teaching is self-directed learners.
  • The proof of effective administration is empowered workers.
  • The proof of good leadership is a vision and philosophy that continues when you are gone.

Ethically, I believe I am always working my way out of a job, not creating situations where success or sustainability depends on my presence.

As a librarian what would continue after you are gone?

  • A climate of intellectual freedom, a respect for a diversity of ideas?
  • Students with good information seeking, evaluation, use and communication skills?
  • An atmosphere of inclusiveness and welcome in your media center?
  • Excitement about learning?

How long will your passions, your policies, your philosophy remain when you are no longer there to shore things up? How do you shape your organization's climate beyond doing important daily work? What long-term efforts are you working on?

If Kirk's indispensability is the theme of the last post, perhaps Obi Wan's ongoing guidance, even after being zapped by old Darth, is the theme here. A paradox? Perhaps.

Will your students and teachers hear your voice, feel your force after you meet your Darth Vader?

AuthorDoug Johnson | Comment6 Comments |
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Reader Comments (6)

'What will you leave behind' reminds me of Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Habit #2 is 'Begin with the End in Mind.'

You are at a funeral of a loved one. There are flowers, family, acquaintances gathered there. As you approach the casket you suddenly come face to face with yourself. This is your funeral. As you take a seat there are four speakers:a representative from family, a friend, a colleague at work, and a member from the community. What will they say about you?

Begin with the end in mind. It's a somewhat expedient way to think about your legacy. What would a student say about a deceased teacher?

I think it lies with your day to day demeanor, your attitude, the extent to which you are prepared with meaningful learning,your values.

'May the force be with you' is an abiding sense in the great potential that lies within every day.

Great post.

July 20, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterPaul C

I don't have any answers but you articulated an ongoing emotional struggle I am having this summer, as I am taking a leave of absence and have anxiety attacks that swing from my program collapsing to me not being wanted back. One problem I have with collaboration is that I am trying to build independent learners, so in my ideal world (HA!) students who walk through my doors after their fourth year won't need me, teachers who I work with on projects will be independent, and as a finely tuned machine I look around and finally have time for all those projects that have fallen to the bottom of the pile while I put out fires. And while I am thinking about it - isn't there a connection between this and the previous post on obsolescent? Are we trying to be obsolescent as professionals. I always am with my students, but I have knee jerk reactions when I find my self obsolete with a staff member I am used to relying on me. It usually isn't a positive emotion, I have to rely on the logic to kick in, and remind myself it is a good thing if they are integrating what we have learned together into their classrooms, or that which I have preached/taught them.

As for your state budget I am sorry for the hard times to come, as a Californian I am only too aware of what you face. Best of luck.

July 20, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMary Ann

@ Paul,

Maybe I was channeling Covey. I've used his 7 Habits teaching library administration classes extensively. Perhaps it is my advancing age that is making me think about this a little more than I had in the past.

As alway, great comment. Thank you.

Doug


@ Mary Ann,

You do a nice job of describing the conflict most of us have.

The only solution I have found is to stay slightly ahead on the learning curve, always learning something new that you can in turn teach others or begin new efforts that will require some initial support.

It's a treadmill to a degree, but at least an exciting and enjoyable one!

All the best and thanks for the comment,

Doug

July 22, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterDoug Johnson

Well this post did send me into a depression but I am now out of it. I am totally replaceable and after I left my classroom would go back to traditional ways faster than I could walk out of the building. I actually think my team would be more than happy to see me go and be replaced by a nice traditional teacher would approaches academics, and especially "behavior management" in a traditional manner. My philosophy is sealed into my classroom by huge concrete walls. Every time I open the door it gets slammed shut. So....ahh..wish I had more time but I have a therapy appointment to help me deal with this ;)

July 31, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterPaul Bogush

Hi Paul,

I have a sneaking suspicion your impact on kids will be long remembered. It's a bit of vanity to think any of us really will leave anything that lasts other that which others have internalized and now think of as their own.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Doug

August 1, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterDoug Johnson

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