Linda Cliatt-Wayman: How to fix a broken school? Lead fearlessly, love hard

譯者: Regina Chu 審譯者: Marssi Draw

It was November 1, 2002,

2002 年十一月一日

my first day as a principal,

是我當校長的第一天，

but hardly my first day in the school district of Philadelphia.

但那天不是我在費城學區的第一天。

I graduated from Philadelphia public schools,

我從費城的公立學校畢業，

and I went on to teach special education for 20 years

接著教了特殊教育 20 年，

in a low-income, low-performing school

那是一所低收入、低水準的學校，

in North Philadelphia,

位於北費城，

where crime is rampant

那裡犯罪猖獗，

and deep poverty is among the highest in the nation.

收入不及聯邦貧窮線一半的人 居全國之冠。

Shortly after I walked into my new school,

就在我走進我的新學校後不久，

a huge fight broke out among the girls.

有一群女生大打出手，

After things were quickly under control,

情況快速得到控制後，

I immediately called a meeting

我立刻召集眾人

in the school's auditorium

在學校的禮堂開會，

to introduce myself as the school's new principal.

介紹我自己是這學校的新校長。

(Applause)

（掌聲）

I walked in angry,

我走進去的時候懷著怒氣，

a little nervous --

還有點緊張──

(Laughter) --

（笑聲）──

but I was determined

但我下定決心

to set the tone for my new students.

要給我的新學生下點馬威。

I started listing as forcefully as I could

我以我最強硬的聲調

my expectations for their behavior

開始列出我對他們行為的期望，

and my expectations for what they would learn in school.

對他們要在學校學什麼的期望。

When, all of a sudden,

突然，有個女孩

a girl way in the back of the auditorium,

在禮堂很後面的地方，

she stood up

她站了起來，

and she said, "Miss!

然後她說：「校長！校長！」

Miss!"

When our eyes locked, she said,

我們的目光鎖定後，她說：

"Why do you keep calling this a school?

「妳為什麼一直叫這裡學校？

This is not a school."

這裡不是學校。」

In one outburst,

艾希莉用這句大爆發的話，

Ashley had expressed what I felt

表達了我曾有過的感受

and never quite was able to articulate

及那難以言喻的親身經驗，

about my own experience when I attended a low-performing school

當時我唸的學校水準不高，

in the same neighborhood, many, many, many years earlier.

就位在同一個社區， 那是很久以前的事了。

That school was definitely not a school.

那所學校絕對稱不上是學校。

Fast forwarding a decade later to 2012,

時間快轉十年到 2012 年，

I was entering my third low-performing school as principal.

我第三度到低水準學校當校長。

I was to be Strawberry Mansion's fourth principal in four years.

我是草莓屋高中 四年來的第四個校長。

It was labeled "low-performing and persistently dangerous"

它被標為「低水準且持續危險」，

due to its low test scores

因為其低測驗分數、

and high number of weapons,

高武器持有率、

drugs, assaults and arrests.

藥物持有率、施暴及逮捕率。

Shortly as I approached the door of my new school

就在我走近我新學校的大門

and attempted to enter,

並想要進入的時候，

and found the door locked with chains,

我立刻發現門是用鐵鍊鎖住的，

I could hear Ashley's voice in my ears

我似乎可以聽見艾希莉的聲音

going, "Miss! Miss!

在我耳中迴繞：「校長！校長！

This is not a school."

這不是學校！」

The halls were dim and dark from poor lighting.

學校的走廊又黑又暗， 因為照明不足。

There were tons of piles of broken old furniture

數不清的破舊辦公室傢俱

and desks in the classrooms,

和課桌椅堆在教室裡，

and there were thousands of unused materials and resources.

還有成千上萬 未用過的教材及物品。

This was not a school.

這不是學校。

As the year progressed,

隨著學年推移，

I noticed that the classrooms were nearly empty.

我注意到教室幾乎空無一人。

The students were just scared:

學生都嚇死了：

scared to sit in rows in fear that something would happen;

嚇得不敢排排坐， 因為怕有什麼狀況發生；

scared because they were often teased in the cafeteria for eating free food.

嚇壞了因為他們常常在學校餐廳 被人譏笑吃免費食物。

They were scared from all the fighting and all the bullying.

他們怕死了那些打架，那些霸凌。

This was not a school.

這不是學校。

And then, there were the teachers,

此外，還有老師，

who were incredibly afraid for their own safety,

他們對自身的安危都嚇得要命，

so they had low expectations for the students and themselves,

所以他們對學生、 對自己的期望都很低，

and they were totally unaware of their role

他們也完全不知道自己的角色

in the destruction of the school's culture.

能對這個崩壞的學校文化做什麼。

This was the most troubling of all.

這是最令人頭疼的部分。

You see, Ashley was right,

你看，艾希莉是對的，

and not just about her school.

她說對的不僅是她的學校。

For far too many schools,

對太多太多的學校而言，

for kids who live in poverty,

對活在貧窮的孩子而言，

their schools are really not schools at all.

他們的學校真的稱不上是學校。

But this can change.

但是這可以改變。

Let me tell you how it's being done at Strawberry Mansion High School.

讓我告訴你們在草莓屋高中 我們是怎麼做的。

Anybody who's ever worked with me will tell you

每個跟我共事過的人都會告訴你們

I am known for my slogans.

我以口號著稱。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

So today, I am going to use three

所以今天，我要說三個口號，

that have been paramount in our quest for change.

是我們在尋求改變時的最高原則。

My first slogan is:

第一個口號是：

if you're going to lead, lead.

如果你要領導，就好好領導。

I always believed

我總是相信

that what happens in a school and what does not happen in a school

學校要做什麼、不要做什麼

is up to the principal.

是由校長全權決定。

I am the principal,

我是校長，

and having that title required me to lead.

既然有那樣的頭銜就要領導。

I was not going to stay in my office,

我不要呆坐在辦公室裡，

I was not going to delegate my work,

我不要授權我的工作，

and I was not going to be afraid to address anything

而我也不怕去處理

that was not good for children,

對孩子不好的任何事情，

whether that made me liked or not.

無論這是否讓我受歡迎。

I am a leader,

我是領導人，

so I know I cannot do anything alone.

因此我知道我不能孤軍奮戰。

So, I assembled a top-notch leadership team

所以我組了一個頂尖的領導團隊，

who believed in the possibility of all the children,

這個團隊相信學童無窮的可能性，

and together, we tackled the small things,

我們一同合作解決一些小事，

like resetting every single locker combination by hand

像是親手重設 每一個衣物櫃的號碼鎖，

so that every student could have a secure locker.

所以每個學生都有能上鎖的衣物櫃，

We decorated every bulletin board in that building

我們布置了那座建築物裡的 每一面布告欄，

with bright, colorful, and positive messages.

放上明亮鮮豔的色彩 及正面積極的話語。

We took the chains off the front doors of the school.

我們把學校前門的鎖鍊拿掉。

We got the lightbulbs replaced,

我們更換燈泡，

and we cleaned every classroom to its core,

我們還把每間教室 都打掃得乾乾淨淨，

recycling every, every textbook that was not needed,

回收每一本、每一本 用不到的教科書，

and discarded thousands of old materials and furniture.

並丟棄成千上萬的舊教材及傢俱。

We used two dumpsters per day.

我們每天都裝滿兩大箱垃圾。

And, of course, of course,

而且，理所當然，

we tackled the big stuff,

我們也處理大問題，

like rehauling the entire school budget

像是重新編列學校的所有預算，

so that we can reallocate funds to have more teachers and support staff.

讓我們能重新分配專款 聘請更多老師及支援職員。

We rebuilt the entire school day schedule from scratch

我們重新建立學校的日課表，

to add a variety of start and end times,

增加了不同的開始及結束時間、

remediation, honors courses,

補救課程、 優異學生預修大專院校課程、

extracurricular activities, and counseling,

課外活動及輔導，

all during the school day.

這些都在學校上課的時間完成。

All during the school day.

都在學校上課的時間完成。

We created a deployment plan

我們還做了一個調度表，

that specified where every single support person and police officer would be

指定每一個職員及警察

every minute of the day,

每一天每一分鐘的崗位，

and we monitored at every second of the day,

我們還監控每一天每一秒鐘的狀況，

and, our best invention ever,

還有，我們最棒的發明

we devised a schoolwide discipline program

就是設計了一套全校紀律計畫，

titled "Non-negotiables."

名為「絕不妥協」。

It was a behavior system --

這是一套行為系統——

這是一套行為系統

designed to promote positive behavior at all times.

旨在隨時促進積極正面的行為。

The results?

結果如何？

Strawberry Mansion was removed from the Persistently Dangerous List

草莓屋高中 從持續危險的名單上除名，

our first year after being --

這是第一年──

(Applause) --

（掌聲）──

after being on the Persistently Dangerous List for five consecutive years.

是我們在持續危險名單上 五年之後的第一年。

Leaders make the impossible possible.

領導者讓不可能成為可能。

That brings me to my second slogan:

這帶出我的第二個口號：

So what? Now what?

那又怎樣？現在要怎麼辦？

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

(Applause)

（掌聲）

When we looked at the data,

在我們看數據，

and we met with the staff,

並與職員會談的時候，

there were many excuses

會聽到好多藉口，

for why Strawberry Mansion was low-performing and persistently dangerous.

為什麼草莓屋高中 低水準又持續危險。

They said that only 68 percent of the kids come to school on a regular basis,

他們說只有 68% 的孩子 規律的到校上課，

100 percent of them live in poverty,

100% 家境窮困，

only one percent of the parents participate,

只有 1% 的家長會來學校，

many of the children

許多孩子

come from incarceration and single-parent homes,

來自受刑人家庭及單親家庭，

39 percent of the students have special needs,

39% 的學生為特殊兒童，

and the state data revealed

而州政府的數據顯示

that six percent of the students were proficient in algebra,

只有 6% 的學生熟練代數，

and 10 were proficient in literature.

10% 的學生熟練文學。

After they got through telling us all the stories

在他們滔滔不絕的對我們說完

of how awful the conditions and the children were,

家庭及學生狀況有多慘的故事之後，

I looked at them,

我看著他們，

and I said, "So what. Now what?

然後我說： 「那又怎樣？現在要怎麼辦？」

What are we gonna do about it?"

「我們要怎麼做？」

(Applause)

（掌聲）

Eliminating excuses at every turn became my primary responsibility.

處處排除藉口成了我的主要責任。

We addressed every one of those excuses

我們在強制的專業發展計畫中 討論每一項藉口的解決法，

through a mandatory professional development,

paving the way for intense focus on teaching and learning.

為全神貫注的教書及學習鋪路。

After many observations,

在多次觀察後，

what we determined was that teachers knew what to teach

我們判定老師知道要教什麼，

but they did not know how to teach

但是他們不知道要怎麼教

so many children with so many vast abilities.

這麼多良莠不齊學生。

So, we developed a lesson delivery model for instruction

所以，我們發展了一套教學法

that focused on small group instruction,

專注在小組教學，

making it possible for all the students to get their individual needs met

想辦法在課堂裡 對所有的學生因材施教。

in the classroom.

The results?

結果如何？

After one year, state data revealed

一年後，州政府數據顯示，

that our scores have grown by 171 percent in Algebra

我們的代數分數成長了 171%，

and 107 percent in literature.

文學分數成長了 107%。

(Applause)

（掌聲）

We have a very long way to go,

我們還有很長的路要走，

a very long way to go,

非常遙遠的路，但是我們現在用

but we now approach every obstacle with a "So What. Now What?" attitude.

「那又怎樣？現在要怎麼辦？」的心態 面對所有障礙。

And that brings me to my third and final slogan.

這又帶出我的第三個 也是最後的口號。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

If nobody told you they loved you today,

如果今天沒有人告訴你他們愛你，

you remember I do, and I always will.

你要記得我愛你， 而且我永遠都愛你。

My students have problems:

我的學生有很多問題：

social, emotional and economic problems

社交、情緒、經濟上的各種問題，

you could never imagine.

你想也想不到。

Some of them are parents themselves,

有些學生已經是父母了，

and some are completely alone.

有些則完全獨自生活。

If someone asked me my real secret

如果有人問我我真正的秘密，

for how I truly keep Strawberry Mansion moving forward,

到底我是怎麼 讓草莓屋高中繼續前進，

I would have to say that I love my students

我會說是因為我愛我的學生，

and I believe in their possibilities

而且我相信他們的無限可能，

unconditionally.

無條件相信！

When I look at them,

當我看著他們，

I can only see what they can become,

我眼裡只看見他們能成為什麼，

and that is because I am one of them.

那是因為我也走過他們的路。

I grew up poor in North Philadelphia too.

我也在貧窮的北費城長大。

I know what it feels like to go to a school that's not a school.

我知道去上一所 稱不上學校的學校是什麼感覺。

I know what it feels like to wonder

我知道那種總是懷疑

if there's ever going to be any way out of poverty.

到底有沒有辦法擺脫窮困的感覺。

But because of my amazing mother,

但是因為我偉大的母親，

I got the ability to dream

我還能夢想，

despite the poverty that surrounded me.

儘管我身在貧窮的環境之中。

So --

所以──

(Applause) --

（掌聲）──

if I'm going to push my students

如果我要督促我的學生

toward their dream and their purpose in life,

朝著夢想及人生的標竿邁進，

I've got to get to know who they are.

我一定要了解他們的一切。

So I have to spend time with them,

所以我得要花時間與他們相處，

so I manage the lunchroom every day.

所以我每天都去管理學校餐廳。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

And while I'm there,

我在那裡的時候，

I talk to them about deeply personal things,

我與他們談談非常私人的話題，

and when it's their birthday,

在他們生日的時候，

I sing "Happy Birthday"

我就唱「生日快樂」，

even though I cannot sing at all.

即使我根本不會唱歌。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

I often ask them,

我常問他們，

"Why do you want me to sing when I cannot sing at all?"

「你為什麼要我唱歌？ 我根本不會唱歌啊？」

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

And they respond by saying,

他們就會說：

"Because we like feeling special."

「因為我們喜歡受到 特殊待遇的感覺。」

We hold monthly town hall meetings

我們每個月都開一次全員大會，

to listen to their concerns,

聽聽他們的苦惱，

to find out what is on their minds.

找出他們心中的想法，

They ask us questions like, "Why do we have to follow rules?"

他們會問我們問題，像是： 「為什麼我們要遵守規定？」

"Why are there so many consequences?"

「為什麼有那麼多懲罰？」

"Why can't we just do what we want to do?"

「為什麼我們不能隨心所欲？」

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

They ask, and I answer each question honestly,

他們問問題， 我就誠實的一一回答，

and this exchange in listening helps to clear up any misconceptions.

而這種聆聽的交流 幫助我們澄清任何誤解。

Every moment is a teachable moment.

每一刻都是機會教育。

My reward,

我得到的回饋，

my reward

我得到的回饋，

for being non-negotiable in my rules and consequences

我對規則及懲罰 絕不妥協的態度上得到的回饋，

is their earned respect.

就是贏得他們的尊重。

I insist on it,

我在這方面很堅持，

and because of this, we can accomplish things together.

而正因為如此， 我們能一同完成許多事。

They are clear about my expectations for them,

他們很清楚我對他們的期望，

and I repeat those expectations every day over the P.A. system.

而我也每天透過學校廣播 重複著那些期望，

I remind them --

我提醒他們──

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

I remind them of those core values

我提醒他們那些核心價值，

of focus, tradition, excellence,

就是專注、傳統、傑出、

integrity and perseverance,

正直及堅毅，

and I remind them every day

我也每天提醒他們

how education can truly change their lives.

教育如何能真正改變他們的生活。

And I end every announcement the same:

我總是用同樣的話結束我的廣播：

"If nobody told you they loved you today,

「如果今天沒有人告訴你他們愛你，

you remember I do,

你要記得我愛你，

and I always will."

而且我永遠愛你。」

Ashley's words

艾希莉的話，

of "Miss, Miss,

那句「校長！校長！

this is not a school,"

這不是學校。」

is forever etched in my mind.

永遠都烙印在我心上。

If we are truly going to make real progress

如果我們真的要在

解決貧窮上取得實質的進展，

in addressing poverty,

then we have to make sure

那麼我們必須確保

that every school that serves children in poverty

每一所貧困學區的學校，

is a real school,

都稱得上是真正的學校，

a school, a school --

是一所學校，學校──

(Applause) --

（掌聲）──

a school that provides them with knowledge

是一所學校，能提供他們知識

and mental training to navigate the world around them.

及心智訓練 讓他們能探索周邊的世界。

I do not know all the answers,

我不知道所有問題的答案，

but what I do know is for those of us who are privileged

我所知道的是 我們這些有優勢的人

and have the responsibility of leading a school that serves children in poverty,

及有責任領導貧困學區學校的人，

we must truly lead,

我們一定要真的領導，

and when we are faced with unbelievable challenges,

在我們面對難以置信的挑戰時，

we must stop and ask ourselves, "So what. Now what?

我們一定要停下來問問自己， 「那又怎麼樣？現在要怎麼辦？」

What are we going to do about it?"

「我們要怎麼做？」

And as we lead,

在我們領導的時候，

we must never forget

我們一定不可忘記，

that every single one of our students

我們的每一個學生

is just a child,

都還是個孩子，

often scared by what the world tells them they should be,

常常被這個世界對他們的期待嚇到，

and no matter what the rest of the world tells them they should be,

而無論外面的世界 對他們的期待是什麼，

we should always provide them with hope,

我們永遠都應該給他們希望，

our undivided attention,

全心全意對待他們，

unwavering belief in their potential,

對他們的潛力深信不疑，

consistent expectations,

抱持始終如一的期望，

and we must tell them often,

而且我們一定要常常告訴他們，

if nobody told them they loved them today,

如果今天沒有人對你說他們愛你，

remember we do, and we always will.

記得我們愛你，而且我們永遠愛你。

Thank you.

謝謝！

(Applause)

（掌聲）

Thank you, Jesus.

感謝耶穌！