In the Visionary
Director text, Chapter 5, page 181, it states that, “As a director, you
will find that your greatest challenge is to let your vision, not your
resources, drive your decision-making process.” This is a reference to the
principal: Refusing to Adopt a Scarcity Mentality. I find this relevant to a
situation that I have encountered in the field. It seems that teachers (which I
have come across) often become motivated by things that they see (Reggio
classrooms, outdoor play structures, etc.). They see the beauty and the
potential behind the products, and long to have it at their site or in their
classroom. Unfortunately, they most often do not receive many of their big
budget things due to not enough money in the budget. As much as they seem to
push for it with their director and advocate for these things and the value it
will have for the children, “budgeting” is almost always the reason for it not
happening. Not much discussion is left after this point. I feel that much potential
is left unspoken, or unthought-of. Teachers and directors are left with the
scarcity mentality. How might teachers and directors go about getting the
resources they need even though the “higher-ups” will not approve it and the program discourages seeking outside help? Are there
alternatives to buying, and are there considerations that must be made
concerning accreditation standards, etc.? Can a director help change the mentality
of her staff?
Hi Elena,
ReplyDeleteI liked the points you made like they see the potential behind the product as long as they have it. How can you get them to see the potential in things that don't require a big budget? Children like to play with various objects; as learned in school, a box can be a whole lot of things. How would you change the mindset of the other workers? How can you get them to expand on their one track minds?
In your discussion about money driving your actions and being unable to look for outside help, I feel that as a director you should help to accommodate not only the children but your staff as well. The book suggested that raising the tuition may be an option, but if the tuition is already high then that may scare your business away, which is the families. How about fundraiser a held by the parents? The book says to not only involve staff into the classroom decisions, but also include the families. What if the families put on the fundraiser so it had no intention of going against policy matters? As you wrote thinking of other possibilities should be discussed. How can we create an open line for discussion when budgeting seems to shut us up? I hope that as a director we will try all that we can before we say absolutely NO.
ReplyDeleteHi! It is sad to say that sometimes your plans don't go according to plan due to budgeting and because of this, scarcity mentality takes a toll. Directors need to help in accommodating his/her staff to appropriate measures. Do you know of other ways the program can suggest to help in raising money? If so, have you already done it and how did they go? What are the standards and policies in creating them? I haven't really seen or heard of these kind of issues and I'm eager to learn about them.
ReplyDeleteHi Elena,
ReplyDeleteConsidering vision first is a powerful choice by a director. As a director, what questions might you ask yourself to ensure you are considering vision first. How have marketing and materials become how directors enact a vision? Has the cost become how directors define the work of a center? How has accreditation (and the related practices, materials, paperwork) driven up the cost of a site and pushed the vision to the margin of the daily work? As a director, how might you ensure vision is primary and costs become supported by vision? Is there a connection between vision, budget, and how a director articulates her position? Are there certain ways to envision a director's role in order to ensure vision is the main way to consider budget, policy, and practice?
Jeanne
Elena,
ReplyDeleteHello, you really have a good point and I have to think about what to say about it... I do not think I have an answer, but as a worker if whoever above me tell me that they do not have enough money to do so, I still desperately want children to experience it so I would think about alternative ways to make it happen. I do not know about others but that is me. However, if the director or my boss support me as part of the team and put him or her efforts on it with me. If I feel like I'm the only one doing it then someone tells me that he or she won't be responsible if the thing is not going well as a result, then why do I want to take that risk only by myself? If I'm the director and have the budgeting situation, I honestly want to tell my team and ask them what can we do to make it happen. Some may have incredible ideas or ways to make it happen! If you have the situation, what would you do, Elena?
Miwa ;)
Aloha Elena,
ReplyDeleteAwesome question? Being in our position, I have thought about it many times. There are things that we can make from cheap materials, but if we do not have the funds for it, what can we do? Our classroom budget for the year has been used, and I am glad that we purchased we we did. However, I find that I do spend my own money for my classroom and I am sure many people do it also. Do I recommend it? No. I try to utilize things that I can get from the natural environment, and ask parents if they have scrap supplies laying around like pvc pipes, but that's about it. I will look at thrift stores, garage sales, and within my family. Being creative with the materials you do have can be fun in itself. o you think that the budget effects the programs vision?