Posted by Steve Raybould - April Mentor on April 05, 2008 at 17:55:30:
In Reply to: When can I take credit or blame? posted by GW on April 05, 2008 at 15:45:08:
You can't have it both ways. If you want to take credit for the success, then you also have to take blame for the weaknesses. If you are instead going to blame the weaknesses on weak recruiting and "no control" than you must also credit those same people with the success.
I like to think that I am the reason for my students success, but I know that in reality, I know I am only one part. I make sure I spread the wealth when it comes to taking credit.
I always make sure the students know that they are the biggest reason for their success, because ultimately if they don't want to succeed, nothing I do will matter. I also take time to credit their parent because they are the ones footing the bill and getting them out of the house. When it is appropriate, I take the time to thank their other teachers for letting them out of class for the numerous activities the band does.
Because I have spread the praise, I also get to spread the criticism. Since no one person gets sole credit, no one person gets sole blame, and just as I start with my students and myself for praise, that is the first area we focus when it is time to re-evaluate.
: This is my third year as a 7-12 instrumental music teacher, and I am wondering at what point can one take credit or blame for the status of their program? It seems that when things are going well in quality and numbers a teacher will beat their chest as they proclaim themselves as the reason for the success. On the flip side when a program struggles, a teacher ends up saying that they can't control what comes in their school, thus blames it on a cycle of weak recruitment and talent. I am no miracle worker, but I have been very committed to what I do. I just wish I had a little more control of my results. My program is doing okay, but I will never live for the moment of a success because I know how things can change over night.