Last night, I was asked to speak virtually to a group of student teachers who read my book This Is Not A Test for class (on sale at Haymarket Books, by the way). It was great speaking to this group of students after nine years of learning, leading, and troublemaking since the release of the book. The burgeoning educators had great questions, but the one that feels most germane to the moment was about getting into trouble. In particular, the person asked how administration reacted to my book and it quickly reminded me that I have things to share with you.
For years, I held onto the idea that people are complex human beings, especially in distressing systems. Society doesn’t give us enough grace, much less allow us to give it to each other. Modeling a level of humanity that isn’t afforded to us might help the world get closer to authentic healing. But it usually gets uglier before it gets better, so you can imagine what happened after I published my book.
Photo copies were made and analyzed for urgent instructional team meetings after the publication of the book. Social and professional silent treatments began. Rumors of me being targeted for sanctions spread. Informal observations turned into rebukes of my professionalism and character. Opportunities for advancement were squashed. Of course, I grinned and bore it because my responsibility to children mattered more than things I don’t dare mention here. Relationships between administrators and teachers are rarely reciprocal in grace-granting, which is also a source of tension for many of us.
Yes, I got in more trouble. No, I regret nothing.
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