When Christian School Administrators Bury Their Heads
As a child Saturday morning meant cartoons and plenty of them. I was especially fond of the antics of Bugs Bunny. So many things which he did were both strange and impossible.
I found it very interesting to see the way cartoon characters reacted to fear, particularly, the ostrich, burying its head in the sand. Later in life I was surprised to discover how this act worked its way into common language usage. "Don't be like the ostrich burying your head in the sand when things get tough." You know, "when the going gets tough the tough get going" and all that stuff.
I found it even more interesting to learn that the ostrich, in fact, doesn't bury its head when in danger or ever for that matter. So, to answer my own question, the ostrich, actually saw nothing.
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Ironically, while the ostrich doesn't bury its head, when confronted with conflict, Christian school administrators do. And truth be told, often! Now, I'm not just saying that, I have empirical evidence, overwhelming evidence.
While I could cite many instances concerning departmental problems, faculty problems, student problems, or legal problems I'll simply provide one example.
Speaking with a principal of a Christian high school, at which I was a teacher, about drug use, I asked, "Do you want to know who is dealing here at school?"
He said, "Yes."
So I told him, "The daughter of a faculty member."
His eyes widened, head dropped forward, and he walked away. We never spoke of this again and the dealing continued.
Administrators burying their heads is real and apparently frequent!
I say this because I am regularly told by school officers, teachers, parents, and even students. It appears that not many in authority want to get involved. No one wants to reveal a problem that will "rock the boat." And certainly no one wants to be sued!
Think of it.
Who is being hurt? Who is losing hope, losing faith? Who is losing courage?
Maybe you. Certainly everyone involved in Christian education.
Don't know who said it or where I read it, "a bad manager (administrator) can take a good staff and destroy it, causing the best employees (teachers and also students, families) to flee and the remainder to lose all motivation."
Where are the real leaders?
"The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following." (Proverbs 14:28 The Message)
"A good leader motivates, doesn't mislead, doesn't exploit." (Proverbs 16:10 The Message)
The leader who "buries his head" isn't leading, has no following, and essentially is exploiting those who depend on their leadership.
"A leader of good judgment gives stability; an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste."(Proverbs 29:4 The Message)
"Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity." (Proverbs 20:28 The Message)
Integrity is "incorruptible, sound, the quality or state of being complete!" Integrity emulates everything God expects of us.
How often have you heard/seen an administrator or leader play the role of Sergeant Schulz of Hogan's Heroes saying, "I know nothing." A real administrator knows what's happening because of seeing eyes, hearing ears, well developed instincts, wisdom, and courage!
Don't be like the fabled ostrich. Keep your head out of the sand. Be certain that the school of your choice has administrators who are "heads up!"
