http://inspirED-sunprairieschools.blogspot.com/
In his first step into the digital revolution, Dr, Culver took a moment to gently lash back at some members (who go nameless) of the community and even, perhaps, students. Dr. Culver took a left turn in midst of his anecdotal musings on the inspiration behind his newfound voice by addressing gossip, "hurtful" cynicism, and even cyber-bullying. Offering no indication of the source of this "negativity", we only have to wonder: is he calling out certain community members? students? teachers? Alas, it seems we won't get to know.
Others may use writing, digital or not, to gossip, cyber-bully, or promote hurtful cynicism. I intend to use this blog to shed some light for the community on the superintendent-eye view of things. Some things should be celebrated and replicated. Some things need to be challenged (or we need to know what [sic]challenge us). Some things need to be improved. Our schools, and most certainly I, are not perfect. Sometimes the playground chips need to be checked or re-filled.
- from the maiden post of "inspirED", Tim Culver's new blog
You forgot about those of us that use writing --digital or not-- to light a fire under the collective buttocks of you and the school board in order that you'll resolve issues deemed critical by the COMMUNITY. The record clearly reflects, Dr. Culver, that this community has tried to engage you and the school board on COUNTLESS occasions. Instead of opening negotiations to reach some common ground, you and the board have steamrolled YOUR issues. Perhaps we could opine that you all thought that we would just go away. Sorry. Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent. You see...contrary to what you might believe, we care about education, too. We just disagree on the best, most cost-effective means to that end.
You also clearly see cynicism as inherently negative or bad. Kind of a slap in the face to something that arose from disciples of Socrates, don't you think? Cynicism might be the ichor oozing from the wound, but perhaps we need to ask the underlying cause of the wound? Instead of venting about the cynicism...perhaps your efforts would be better focused on determining and healing the wounds that caused it. And such a journey is a two-way street...not the one way avenue you historically have preferred to travel. Great leaders seek out those that don't see things similarly and try to work for common ground in which we all can share ownership. Instead, your body language at board meetings is seen as metaphorically flicking us away like a toddler would flick away an offending booger.
But otherwise....a great first post. We like "feel good" anecdotes as much as the next person. We are pleased to see you grow as a person. We see the need for some additional, perhaps more pressing growth than development of blogging skills. As the fictional agent Clarice Starling once commented, You see a lot, Doctor. But are you strong enough to point that high-powered perception at yourself? What about it? Why don't you look at yourself and write down what you see? Or maybe you're afraid to.
We also wish you would focus this driving inspiration within you to inspire yourself to stop defending the district's frequent forays outside the lines of the Open Meetings Laws.
A wise individual once said that if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.
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