As I reflect on my 20 plus years in education, I can’t help but ask, “Do we overthink schools?” As a young teacher in 1994, I was an effective teacher and educating students was fun. I would voluntarily collaborate with team members without all of the research based requirements mandated in today’s schools. My students thrived on standardized tests, but their success, or lack there of, did not result in administrators and teachers being terminated; or even worst, the school being closed. During my early years, if you could manage your classroom and ensure students were learning, you were applauded as a great teacher. It really felt like schools made sense.
