Imagine you're a plumber.
You're a professional. You have experience, and you're good at what you do. You receive a call to do a maintenance check, take one look at the piping system, and know right away there's a problem. If it isn't addressed quickly and thoroughly, it will create serious damage. You deliver the news to your customer, but things don't go the way you anticipated.
"'Serious damage', really?" your customer challenges. "How do you know?"
"Well...I'm a plumber. This is what I do," you reply. "I've seen this before, and I want to be honest with you about the possible outcomes."
"I actually know a lot about plumbing, too," they snap. "And I think you're overreacting. How do I know you don't just want more money? Or maybe you have a friend who wants to sell me parts I don't need."
"You're welcome to make a different decision than the one I'm suggesting," you finally offer. "Here's my card to be in touch."
The agitated client hurries you to the door. "Oh, wait!" they pipe up just before the door closes behind you. "What kind of mops do you recommend?"
You're a professional. You have experience, and you're good at what you do. You receive a call to do a maintenance check, take one look at the piping system, and know right away there's a problem. If it isn't addressed quickly and thoroughly, it will create serious damage. You deliver the news to your customer, but things don't go the way you anticipated.
"'Serious damage', really?" your customer challenges. "How do you know?"
"Well...I'm a plumber. This is what I do," you reply. "I've seen this before, and I want to be honest with you about the possible outcomes."
"I actually know a lot about plumbing, too," they snap. "And I think you're overreacting. How do I know you don't just want more money? Or maybe you have a friend who wants to sell me parts I don't need."
"You're welcome to make a different decision than the one I'm suggesting," you finally offer. "Here's my card to be in touch."
The agitated client hurries you to the door. "Oh, wait!" they pipe up just before the door closes behind you. "What kind of mops do you recommend?"
Every single teacher I know right now is a plumber. We've been pointing out the problems for years, speaking up for kids and families every chance we get. Looking for someone who will listen, who will take us seriously, who won't dismiss our concerns as greed, ignorance, or hubris. Advocating at every level - working to change legislation, change social supports, change entire systems. All in the service of children.
And yet, here we are. Standing soaked in the flood of the pandemic. Being asked what kind of mops we should use to clean it up.
And yet, here we are. Standing soaked in the flood of the pandemic. Being asked what kind of mops we should use to clean it up.
