Much has been written and much has been said about the right of self-determination.  Yet, in the quiet corridors of public education institutions, most administrators and supervisors have become passive participants in those issues that most positively and/or negatively impact their livelihood.

Swirling around you are the national, state, and local tides of "accountability" for which you have had little or no input.  Nevertheless, the implications of these measures have serious implications/penalties attached to them.  Those of you who are deemed "unsuccessful" will certainly have to justify your continued service, in whatever position you now hold.

While no one should shrink away from accountability, as such, those who are charged with evaluating your efforts ought to be held to a standard reflective of documented professional high quality support!  These "enablers" should have some evidence of "personal" success on which they can legitimately offer guidance, as well as submit an end-of-year evaluation of your efforts.

You have a responsibility to get involved in those processes, both politically and organizationally, that determine the quality of your professional life.  Individuals who express an understanding of your jobs, and of your aspirations, and who run and/or running for political office, need to be supported by you.  However, these same individuals need to understand the strength of you and of your organization to impact them at the polls!  Blind acceptance of "whomever" is elected does not serve your purposes.

Waiting for your "proverbial" ship to come in is not a good professional strategy for success (if and when your ship comes in, you might be at the airport).  You must be proactive in expressing your needs, as those needs are peculiar to the members of this Union.  "Silent Night" might be an appropriate song for celebrating a revered holiday, but "silent voices" can never be appropriate for bringing about a desired change.  Get involved, on your terms ... or else others will determine your term of involvement!