Photo by Mike Brothers
This inspirational stone was selected by Don Lockwood to help connect Sullivan teachers during the course of the school year. Lockwood chose “Inspire” for the rock he keeps on his classroom desk. Each teacher was given a stone and asked to write one word that represents a school year goal as part of the “ Morale Matters” program which started districtwide at the beginning of the school year.

Teachers Learn to Rock

•September 30, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

In a world of cut school budgets, unpredictable evaluations and a questionable pension plan it isn’t easy being a school teacher these days.

Sullivan Unit 300 administration and teachers are trying a proactive approach at improving morale.

Morale Matters was implemented by the Sullivan Education Association at the beginning of the school year.

“So many of the causes for lack of morale are simply out of our control,” SEA president Don Lockwood said of education. Teachers don’t control the state budget; they cannot control the changing times of how students are evaluated and they have no control over the mismanagement of their pensions by state government.

“It’s an excellent concept,” superintendent Brad Tuttle said of the Morale Matters program.

He explained the uncertainty teachers face these days has led to fewer people choosing education and even fewer wanting to get into public school administration.

“This is the third year the state has cut our budget by a quarter million dollars,” he continued, noting there is a negativity surrounding public education. “Schools aren’t getting the funding the way they were five years ago, yet the costs of operations continue to rise, and it forces cutbacks,” he continued

All things that contribute to lowering the morale in the schools.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.