Old School or Happy School: The future of public education

It’s time for a change. I believe that things can be better for our students. I believe that things can be better for educators.

It’s time to accept the challenge, to fundamentally change public education for the modern world. Come with me, let’s make things better.

There are thousands of parents, legislators, influencers, and demigods who want to “change education.” The problem is, they don’t get it. Most of them haven’t spent time actually working in schools.

It’s up to the caring professionals that choose to work in schools to make things better through intentional, small, loving decisions every day. Decisions that push us away from the old school and towards the happy school: every day a little closer, every day a little better.

I hope you’ll join me in making these small, every day changes. These change won’t put you on a big stage, earn you more money, get you on Oprah, or help you “earn” B.S. awards from associations. However, these change will create fulfillment in your every day life.

Most of the pain of education is self-inflicted and it’s time to stop the self-sabotage and embrace a new perspective on how we do things. It’s time to redefine education from within: shifting from old school to happy school.

You decide, old school or happy school? Here are some examples:

Old School: Achievement is the end goal of leadership through “better performance” and higher scores from students and staff.

Happy School: Fulfillment is the end goal of leadership through individual growth, engagement, and quality relationships between students and staff.

Old School: Teachers and staff members, when properly managed, can deliver a predictable, cohesive, standardized curriculum.

Happy School: Teachers and staff members, when trusted, can create a unique, powerful, caring curriculum.

Old School: Adults know better than kids. Remind those little turds that you know better whenever problems arise!

Happy School: Problem solving is relational. Remind those developing brains that working together is how we make things better.

Old School: Systems are necessary to ensure that people spend the right amount of time doing the right things in the right ways.

Happy School: Systems support individuals in using their time to make their unique, caring impact; no one person does it the “right” way.

Old School: Good leaders have a vision for “how things go around here” and “what’s best for the school.”

Happy School: Good leaders support individuals in becoming their best self and making their unique contribution.

Old School: If only we had more money and more programs we could meet student’s individual needs. Technology and money will save us!

Happy School: We have everything we need so long as we have caring people showing up to do this important work. Creativity and unity will save us!

Old School: Every person has a specific role and “duties” whose contribution must be evaluated individually.

Happy School: Every person’s role overlaps and one’s contribution must be evaluated collectively.

Old School: Competition, grades, and scores drive results for students and staff.

Happy School: Cooperation, community, and relationships drive results for students and staff.

Old School: Data can motivate and drive results, if only people would care about the data!

Happy School: Data is important to people when it supports the good work that they already do.

Old School: Wellness is not a part of the curriculum, mental and physical health are addressed outside of school. Leave that stuff at home!

Happy School: Wellness is fundamental to learning. Bring your whole self, we’re ready to help you thrive!

Old School: Hierarchies define who makes decisions, who knows best, and who has valuable input to solve problems.

Happy School: Each individual has inherent value and a unique perspective, listening deeply is the only way to solve problems.

Old School: There is a right answer.

Happy School: There are many ways to solve problems.

Old School: Learning is when the “right” answer is discovered by students.

Happy School: Learning is when students practice the process of discovery.

Old School: Teachers and staff members are replaceable with the right training and programs.

Happy School: People can fulfill someone else’s job duties, but nobody can ever do their unique work.

Old School: Licensure, training, and rules ensure competent professionals.

Happy School: Autonomy, mastery, and purpose drive competent professionals (thanks Mr. Pink).

Old School: Teaching is hard and school is boring, but you’ve gotta learn somehow that you don’t always get what you want!

Happy School: Teaching, learning, and discovery are fun; authentic learning and community are what we all want.

Old School: Recess and play are a reward for doing the “hard” work.

Happy School: Play is fundamental to how people learn in community.

Old School: Diversity is a problem to be managed: “Our communities are changing; plan a two hour training and write a new policy so we can say we are working on it!”

Happy School: Diversity is inherent and beautiful: “Our communities are changing; our every day choices create an environment where every person belongs.”

Old School: Programs are necessary to ensure that staff members do good work.

Happy School: Programs that free up staff members time to do good work are necessary.

Old School: Incentives (pay, candy, parties, etc.) will foster greater engagement.

Happy School: Engagement requires no incentives, it is guided from within.

Old School: Our moral compass is set to “do not get sued.”

Happy School: Our moral compass is set to “do what’s best for kids.”

Old School: Students need to be controlled through attendance, grades, discipline, and behavior plans.

Happy School: Students must be trusted and supported.

Old School: Staff members need to be controlled through contracts, training, scores, and standards.

Happy School: Staff members must be trusted and supported.

Wow, you’re still here? Great. Proud of you. I know that was a lot, but it’s clear how many every day choices we get to make in order to lead this change. These were just a few examples of the change we will get to make, together, if you’ll join me. You’re not alone.

If you would like to join a free community of educators who believe in making this change and the bright future of education, visit happyschoolsproject.org.

Come find the others who, like you, believe that things can be better. I hope we get to meet some day. We would get along great. Or maybe we wouldn’t…who knows? You probably do after reading this manifesto. Hopefully I’ll see you around.