My Utne Reader Response!

-- Anonymous, May 11, 1999

Answers

Utne Reader Response #4- I chose to read the article "Breaking the Job Lock" by Andrew Kimbrell. Kimbrell's article addressed the idea that in the United States , the land of freedom and opportunity, "80% of workers in our society feel their jobs are meaningless." We have become "stressed-out wage slaves." Kimbrell says that we need to place more emphasis on the kind and quality of work that we spend our 40+ hours a week performing.It seems that money does not provide job satisfaction. The key is that the work must be meaningful. Kimbrell defines a new work vision which should include "work that is good for body, mind, and spirit; work that sustains family and community; work that connects us with and helps us protect the natural world." This article reminded me of Glasser's book " The Quality School." Glasser defends that if the student's work is not meaningful, then they will not put forth their best effort or even try. Students need to see the need for the work and how it will help them fulfill their goals. These ideas go hand-in-hand. What is true for adult job satisfaction holds true for students as well.

Kimbrell goes on to say that in the past work wasn't separated from the rest of people's lives. This is not so today. Often times the 8 hour work day stands in isolation from the rest of people's daily lives. This tends to lead to more frustration and dissatisfaction. I also believe that students, like workers, need to see a connection between learning/working and the rest of their lives. Kimbrell encourages people to follow their passions and beliefs to a profession. He defines a profession as " a public declaration of what we believe and who we are." Our vocation should express our values and fit our needs.

Changes are needed in many of the current workplaces. We have placed more importance on efficiency vs. empathy for workers' physical and mental needs. An incredible statistic finds that over 45 million Americans are taking psychotropic medication. 80% of Americans also said that their lives are more stressful now and pressure at work was a primary reason. What types of things really matter to workers? Kimbrell says that while pay is important so is " a sense of purpose and accomplishment, an outlet for creativity, an opportunity for flexibility, and co-worker relationships matter, too." This sounds like good work conditions and good learning conditions as well! Wouln't our students want the same things?

What can we do as teachers? Kimbrell says that teachers should mentor young people to seek vocations rather than settle for jobs. We can teach about "good work" by example.Kimbrell quotes economist E.F Schumacher that our "real task is to adapt the work to the needs of the worker rather than demand that the worker adapt himself to the needs of the work." Many parallels can be made between "good work" and "good education." Students need to experience an education that expresses themselves and fits their individual needs just as workers need work that meaningful and satisfying. Jobs and education should be a reflection of the person who pursues it!

-- Anonymous, May 11, 1999

Hi Shelly (Koooonst), The first thing you need to know is that I did make a new cover!!! Your article review was interesting. I'm always telling Billy and Rachel and my kids at school how important it will be for them to choose a career that they think they will enjoy day to day. Money and fame do not always make us happy. (As teachers WE know that don't we!) I love what I do every day. I tell my kids that I used to work in a retail store where I would watch the clock and dread going to work. I may have made more money doing something else, but how I spend my time is worth something too. I like the way you brought out the parallel of how our students spend their time at school. They can be their because they have to. They may become"Clock Watchers", but I hope instead that we can make their time at school meaningful for them. See you soon, Kris

-- Anonymous, May 14, 1999

Neat response Shelly, I think it is really sad that we do not think about work as play, fun and opportunity for creativity. I see so many co-workers looked in a trap because something "sounded good." I still Like my job because I look at each day as a chance to try something a little different. Do you think there is any way that we can better direct our students toward that end? Best Wishes! John

-- Anonymous, May 19, 1999

Good response Shelly! I think that we're pretty lucky as teachers. For the most part we're doing what we love and get a lot of satisfaction out of our jobs. I can't imagine not loving what I do. I like how you linked this article to Glasser. How can we expect students to do their best on a "meaningless" assignment when adults don't. What we do in the classsroom has to be meaningful to the students for them to really learn what we'd like them to. I think it's important for us to pass on to them the importance of doing what they love instead of looking to make the big bucks. Aren't we lucky that we get the big bucks along with a satisfying job :)

-- Anonymous, May 23, 1999