Lady Whistleblower Dearest Gentle Reader,
It has long been said that If you’re going to tell people the truth, be funny or they’ll kill you. Sadly, this author feels that she has put her proverbial head into the noose, because it has been so difficult to deliver the news of the Kingdom in such a way that it will be palatable to the masses, who are in fact, the targeted audience of this little society news.
While historically, the Kingdom has had its share of problems, never has it been harder to find a light-hearted thread to cast upon the loom of truth-telling. Seriously. For this author has struggled to find much humor in the latest news. This, perhaps, is why this author has struggled with writer’s block – because it has always been humor with a strong dose of truth that has formed the backbone of our writings – both now and in the past.
After much reflection, this author has come to the conclusion that the humor has been more difficult to find, because our current King and Bored leadership pose an actual existential threat to our schools. Never before have the stakes been higher. And those at the highest risk are our children and the people who have pledged their professional lives to nurture and support their educational growth.
Now, if this author were to be totally honest, which is truly the only way to be, then it must be pointed out that FedHock is not the only Kingdom struggling. But there are the struggles which manifest from without (insane state and federal regulations, political machinations, TESTING, constantly shifting programs, requirements, and initiatives, etc.) and the struggles that manifest from within. In our Kingdom’s case, it has been the lack of any sort of leadership since the deposing of King George five years ago. Our current King, who is only in MONTH FIVE of his reign, is not temperamentally suited to be king. He is an angry, narcissistic man. And our bored is weak. Weak. WEAK. WEAK! They have allowed the King to isolate the staff, not unlike an abuser who cuts off support for their victims in order to make them more vulnerable.
It’s more than sad, it’s scary. For staff caught in this dysfunctional and toxic environment, they have few choices. Some leave to take teaching positions elsewhere. They always say it’s to be closer to family, etc., but most of the time it’s not actually that. That’s the story that’s told to save face or stave off some difficult conversation about a situation from which they will soon be extricated, so why bother? Some stay because they think the kingdom can be saved. Some are trapped because they are too far along in their careers to easily go anywhere else and are holding out until retirement. But the worst is that knowing that the teaching experience here can be so bad, that some staff leave the world of public education and teaching altogether.
This may not seem like a big deal, because ultimately teachers are “replaceable”. The Bored and King ignore the fact that having staff who know our kids well is vital to their success. With staff turnover at an all time high, the harm to our children is incalculable.
And so it is, dearest reader, that it may be that this author will have to put her life on the line for delivering the truth without humor.
It’s that serious.
Sincerely,
Lady Whistleblower
