Individualism narrows our focus to each stakeholder, usually our students, and attempts to focus on each of their needs.
And given that many of the individuals enrolling in our schools have rather obvious and increasing needs, it’s understandable that we notice those needs and want to help.
However, individualism also generates increased workload for already exhausted educators as we scramble around trying to cater for every need. And it’s showing no sign of abating. This focus on individual needs is thoroughly unsustainable.
That’s why we need a dash more collectivism – a clear understanding that ‘school’ is a collective noun.
When we focus on the whole, we accept that no individual and each of their needs can be catered for. Instead of that unattainable end, we ask how we can build a collective/school that gives us the chance to meet most needs with the resources available.
In doing so, we embrace the gorgeous imperfections of a school rather than the absorbing the guilt of perpetually falling short.
You’ll know that your school has moved the needle too far toward individualism when useful ideas are slaughtered mercilessly with whatboutery in the form of excuses like:
- “Yeah, but what about the kids on the spectrum.”
- “Yeah, but what about the parents who don’t like it.”
- “Yeah, but what about the psychologist who insisted we never challenge Sebastian.”
- “Yeah, but what happens if it doesn’t work first time.”
Personally, I reckon the answer to most of those questions is, “Ah well.”
I also believe we need a manageable system for teachers and school leaders if schools are to serve their purpose effectively.
In your school, that task begins with rejecting the whataboutery phenomena and giving a big, welcoming hug to useful approaches that work most of the time.
