On Thursday after tutoring, I headed down to the Galloway School to hear Chancellor of DC Public Schools Michelle Rhee give a speech on education. I had read tons about Michelle Rhee first in TIME Magazine and then for a self-directed project, and I was incredibly excited to finally see her in person! (In fact, I practically screamed when I heard on the radio that she was part of Galloway’s 40th Anniversary Speaker Series). I didn’t actually get to meet her and speak with her one-on-one, but I was lucky enough to get to ask the last question of the evening, which Chancellor Rhee happily answered.
Chancellor Rhee’s speech was very inspirational, and I guess it particularly resonated with me because I’m so into creating more opportunities for education. Here are a few points I particularly liked & agreed with:
- Courage – Rhee told us the story of DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, who had hired her at the start of his term. Most mayors, said Rhee, like to have things nice and quiet — the less political drama the better. Fenty, however, stirred up a political maelstrom when he curbed the power of the DC Board of Education, gave Rhee the reins to make the key decisions, and then stood by her often controversial steps towards reform. Addtionally, at a time when everything in DC was getting budget cuts, Fenty refused a cut for the schools–even though many people were not happy about that decision. Fenty stood his ground, saying it was unfair to make the children carry a burden created by adults.
- It’s OK not to be liked - Everyone had a good laugh at this one, as Rhee recounted all the times people had thrown things at her, cursed her name, screamed at her, etc. etc. :] Her bottom line was that sometimes the best decisions can be very unpopular. Firing hundreds of teachers and closing down 15% of DC public schools angered countless people. Rhee, however, strongly believed that removing the teachers and schools who weren’t contributing to quality education would be the best route for the children. In this case a thick skin is necessary; otherwise it’d be impossible to move forward.
Whether or not you agree with Rhee’s views/decisions, I think her speech can relate to us all. It always takes courage to do what we feel is the right thing, especially when everyone else disagrees. To have the heart to stand your ground is very admirable!
For one thing, it definitely relates to us all as tutors, tutees, teachers, and parents. At a tutoring session when your tutee doesn’t want to work, it’s hard to tell her/him to stay on task. I mean, no one wants to be the bad guy, especially when your tutee is looking up at you with those reproachful puppy dog eyes, telling you, “but…I thought you were one of us….” At times like these we need to stand our ground and do what’s best for the tutee, even if it makes us feel a bit like villain. ;]
>>For more info about Chancellor Rhee’s speech, click here
>>For the video of her speech, click here. (You’ll have to wait till the very end for my question haha :] )
