What Did We Miss?

Hi.

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We are gearing up for a Hurricane here in Florida. It seems that this time of year, just as schools are getting into a stride, boom… hurricane. 🌀 If you are in the Sunshine State or anywhere that may receive impacts from the storm, hunker down and stay safe.

Alright, you’re not here for my meteorological skills… so shall we?

Deep Dive 🤿

What Did We Miss?

I have been thinking recently about the challenges we’ve faced in education since 2020, and I am still pondering this question.

Back then, the pandemic disrupted our world, not just in education but in every corner of life. Now, in 2024, things look different - yet strangely familiar. It is almost like we have circled back to where we were, only this time with Wi-Fi that’s slightly more reliable (on a good day) and classrooms that have somehow squeezed in even more expectations.

So, what did we miss?

The autonomy we never really gave teachers.

Back in 2020, we saw a lot of calls for teachers to take risks, try new things, and exercise their autonomy. But let’s be honest - how much freedom did we actually give to our teachers? We’ve been tethered to textbooks, test prep, and a complex web of standards for so long that we forget that teachers are also professionals. It is the equivalent of handing someone a paintbrush but only allowing them to use beige.

Yet, we’ve bound their optimism in a system designed for compliance rather than creativity. Today, in 2024, we still see the echoes of this struggle. The calls for autonomy and innovation are louder, but are we listening?

Over-reliance on programs, not people.

Ah, yes, the ever-expanding universe of educational programs - each promising to be the silver bullet. We’ve pushed so much faith in external tools, platforms, and one-size-fits-all curriculum packages that we’ve lost sight of the people who actually make the learning happen.

In the words of comedian and author George Carlin, “We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life.” Similarly, we have learned how to run programs but always how to support people. It’s high time we rediscovered that balance.

The bandwidth problem (literally and figuratively).

Remember when one of the most significant issues during the pandemic was whether everyone had access to reliable internet? Spoiler alert: We still don’t. But now, the “bandwidth” problem has been expanded. It’s not just about Wi-Fi - it’s about emotional, mental, and physical bandwidth. How much more can we pile onto teachers, students, and even parents without addressing the systemic overload?

Teachers are stretched thin, and students are feeling the pressure of “catching up” in a post-pandemic world. It’s like we’re sprinting a marathon, wondering why everyone is so tired.

We underestimated educators - again.

If there is one thing we missed that stings the most, it’s this: we underestimated the heroism of classroom educators. We called them “essential,” but did we act like it? Despite everything, teachers are still here, still passionate, and still holding the educational system together with sheer determination and caffeine.

The Question Now: Where Do We Go From Here?

It’s 2024, and I’m hopeful that we’ve learned from our collective “misses.” We can’t go back to a system that was already creaking under the weight of its own inefficiencies. Let’s pivot to one that values teacher autonomy, promotes genuine innovation, and respects the real limits - of both humans and Wi-Fi.

As we continue to rebuild and reimagine education, let’s remember what we missed, but more importantly, let’s make sure we don’t miss the opportunity to get it right this time.

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Surfing the Web 🌊

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I am diving deep into my organization’s new Blueprint. I would love for you to check it out. I know that it is going to serve as a catalyst for future content here on The EDU Files.

• Blueprint: Designing Systems That Work by NCEE

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