Episode: 412

Episode Title: Trying to Make Everyone Happy

No leader, no matter how gifted, can make everyone happy at the same time—especially in times like these. Let’s talk about it, next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 412 show:

Hello and welcome—you’re now in The Perna Syndicate! When we talk about the current pressure that educators are feeling, it’s easy to blame the pandemic. But the truth is, most of the problems today were already brewing long before Covid-19 entered our lives. 

Dr. Bishop, who heads a school district in Michigan, says that the pandemic was just a catalyst that increased the rate and intensity of existing controversial issues. Schools, of course, are a direct reflection of the communities they serve. All the hot-button topics of the past two years have been played out in school offices, halls, school boardrooms and classrooms.

What’s the job of a school administrator in these contentious times? Well, in a nutshell they’re expected to make everyone happy. They need to make sure all needs are met so learning can take place for all, regardless of belief. 

Is it actually possible to sew together all these various groups, with their variety of stances, into a cohesive student body and staff? And to do all of that while being figureheads directly in the public eye?

School leaders are striving to achieve all of this, every day. It’s little wonder that they’re getting tired. And I think we can all agree that administrators who are trying to make everyone happy can never succeed 100%. 

No leader, no matter how gifted, can create a perfect experience for everyone they lead, all the time. School leaders are human, just like everyone else. And they need their communities to understand that.

Tomorrow: is it worth it anymore? We’ll talk about why educators are asking that question, next time on The Perna Syndicate. See you then!