Let's Support Mediocrity!

The national news has been rather depressing lately.  From the VA Scandal to the Bowe Bergdhal swap, I've noticed that we seem to be praising mediocrity.  From praising the incapability of leaders to the desertion of those who have taken oaths to protect our nation, the majority of the those around us have taken hold of the idea that those who only do the minimum (if that) are the ones that deserve our praise.

This mentality has unfortunately taken hold in education as well.  Administrators are often forced to reward those who only perform at a minimum level.  They then in return, only expect to be surrounded by mediocre teachers and treat all teachers the same way; whether they are mediocre or exceptional.  Half the time, they just treat you as mediocre teacher and oftentimes to keep themselves feeling powerful in their positions.

Is this how we treat our students?  Do we praise mediocrity within our classroom?  Do we keep our standards at a reachable height, or do we keep it lower than where they're at?  Do we keep those who are on the higher end of our class progressing or do we only focus on those struggling?  Do we only expect mediocrity from our students?  Do we treat them as such?

Mediocrity is a plague that is infesting our classrooms.  Most students want to be challenged, but it often is not happening at home or in other places.  With the rising of unemployment and lack of economic growth in many parts of the nation, we are told that we need to just "toe the line" and just be like everyone else.  Have you met many normal "toe the line" kind of band or choir director? I have not!  As a matter of fact, all those directors who have inspired me over the years, are the ones who did not expect mediocrity but exceptionalism.  They never once asked for me to "toe the line" or be like everyone else.  They expected and encouraged hard work, self-motivation, and dedication.  They knew that if we would be mediocre, we would not be capable of being successful.

So the same should be with us.  We can not let ourselves expect mediocrity.  We must do as those before us have! We need to inspire those around us to work hard, to be self-motivated, and to be dedicated!  Mediocrity has no place in our classrooms.  No one is entitled to a good experience!  No one is entitled to being successful!  Hard work is needed and required!  We can not allow ourselves to treat students as if they are mediocre, but as to what they are capable of becoming.