Are you too worn down?

I am working with new early childhood teachers in DC public schools.
They have so much to do.
So much to learn.
So many bosses.
So much pressure.

I want them to think of the individual children in their room and
to plan their curriculum with these children at the heart of it,
but they are too burdened to see the children at times.

Formal observation by principal tomorrow.
Where is your attendance record?
Unscheduled staff meeting today, mandatory.
All the PreK teachers are expected to teach the following skills...
Assessments due at the beginning of the month - 80% success is anticipated.
There is no art class today; students will remain in your classroom for more learning.
Need more data about this special ed student.
Need your lesson plan by this time each week.
Need more details - you must delineate the learning objectives.
No assistant today - your assistant must sub in another classroom. You are solo with 18 students.
This parent needs to meet with you today about their child.
This looks like play. What evidence is there of learning?
Our consultant requests more data on...
Be sure that your students tuck their shirts in.
Where is your current student data? This needs to be posted at all times.
Parent-teacher conferences are tomorrow.
Where is the evidence that you have taught this?
Are you following procedure for the field trip? Where is your bus form?
Individual running records for your 18 students are due by day's end.
Answer the phone in your classroom immediately, regardless of being mid-lesson - the office calls with important questions.
All students must be sitting cross-legged at whole group time, mouths closed.
Are your students tracking you when you speak?
Pull outs for the assessment will begin tomorrow.
Let me check the security videotape of your classroom, to see if that really happened.
We've decided to switch to this assessment tool.
Indoor recess will be in your classroom.
Teachers must accompany their class during lunch.
All classes must walk down the hall quietly, in single line. No disruptions.
Our instructional coaches will make surprise visits, to ensure you are on pace.

Be sure! Be sure! Be sure!
You must! You must! You must!


These external pressures -
requiring teachers to do certain things at precise times,
insisting that young children do certain things in precise ways -
make for anxious, worried teachers.

These teachers work with the understanding that their jobs are on the line.

I sound like I'm speaking a foreign language when I say
I want them to think of the individual children in their room and
to plan their curriculum with these children at the heart of it.

These teachers are too burdened to see the children at times.

It should come as no surprise that it is often difficult to hear joy in some of these classrooms.

What are you like "under pressure"?