Mentoring and re-evaluating and doing your best
By TheRealDawn
@dawnald (85137)
Shingle Springs, California
March 14, 2011 5:53pm CST
I watched part of 60 minutes last night. There is a public school in New York that pays it's teachers something like an average of $125,000 per year. They do it by cutting back on facilities, and by having the teachers cover a lot of jobs. The teachers have to have one main quality - they have to be able to actually get and keep the attention of the students they are teaching. They have no tenure, and the students actually have to show improvement. The teachers mentor and critique each other. One of the teachers there said she could cry, not because the job is bad, but because of the 25 years she taught and didn't know all the things that she learned at this school that would have made her a better teacher.
Which brings me to a couple of the doctors who made that kind of an impression on me. One was the family doctor who actually showed me under a microscope the little critters that were making me sick, and sat me down and told me exactly what I could do to avoid the problem in the future. Another was a pediatrician the children used to see who would tell me every single thing that he was doing, and why he was doing it. It was incredibly cool, not to mention reassuring, to know what was going on, the purpose of all those routine things that doctors do, that we just take for granted. You can bet that nobody in medical school taught him that. He just figured out that it was a good idea. I wonder how many doctors could become better doctors by applying the same critiquing technique as the teachers at that school.
How many of us could become better at what we do if we had that kind of review regularly, I wonder.
2 people like this
16 responses
@zralte (4176)
• India
15 Mar 11
Review or Critique?
I guess only a few people would react well to criticism at first, even if we know from the beginning that it is for our own good. I definitely would try to defend myself.
However, review has an entirely different meaning for me.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Mar 11
That school sounds new age. What an inspiration for both the teachers and the children. The doctors sound astounding. Doctors now days rush us through like cattle. That isn't how I feel when I am there. I am lucky to have good doctors who take time and discuss and talk to me. I think these doctors you speak of actually sound as they respect their patients as human beings. What a nice feeling.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Mar 11
Yeah those are the best ones. You get some who come in with this, "how dare you question me, I am the expert" attitudes. But ultimately it is our health, and we need to take an active part in making our own health decisions.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
17 Mar 11
I don't think those should be in practice. Research or something where they don't have to deal with people. It is important to be proactive in our own health decisions.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Mar 11
At this school, if they didn't pay attention, they'd be out of a job, but I know what you mean. I think it's the tenure system. If you're guaranteed a job no matter how badly you do, what's the incentive to improve?
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
16 Mar 11
Hey dawny! Definitely would have to agree with ya here! It would be
so incredible if doctors and teachers would do their jobs the way
they were meant to do them. I can't speak for teachers since I'm
totally "out of that game having no children"~ But, doctors is
another issue! Having to be on Disability and spending alot of
time with different doctors and also having worked in the field for
many years I have seen both "sides of the fence"! My "[i]Personal Primary
Care Physician"[/i] is my "everything doctor". I look to him for [i]"every
important medical issue" [/i]I have and I expect him to manage it! And he
does and is there for me as much as he possibly can be. That's what's
important to me!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Mar 11
For me, I want to be taken seriously. Somebody can be the best doctor in the world, but if he won't listen to my concerns, I'll go find me another one!
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
21 Mar 11
Are you sure you're not talking about politicians?
It seems like most need to be critiqued all the time so they could get better at what they do. And I mean serving their constituents (not better at whatever corruption they tend to be mastering).
I guess being constantly evaluated would be a bit distracting at first. But if you are able to recognize that it is part of the job, and channel it constructively, then it could make us better.
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Mar 11
I'm sure that would help politicians a LOT. Many of them go into the job with good intentions, but they get separated from reality and their values imho.
@GardenGerty (169439)
• United States
15 Mar 11
It has to be applied in the right spirit, though. My eye doctor is that way, as well as my dentist to some degree.My g.p. doctor lets me ask him anything I want. Come to think of it, most of my health professionals are that way. Maybe that is why I choose them.
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Mar 11
Well if it's done condescendingly or in an attacking manner, it's a waste...
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Mar 11
And the ones who actually care will become better teachers from it.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
15 Mar 11
I worked in an organization that introduced 360 degree reviews. I commented on my staff and they on me. It was never very effective because people were too polite or too critical and often picked on areas that were policy rather than personality led. I always took the view that if I didn't know what my staff thought of me then I wasn't much of a manager anyway. However, it is important to explain why things are done in a certain way, especially if it's physical. I am fortunate that my Dr is an explainer too. He has to be because I am so dense......,
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Mar 11
Some people are afraid to critique the boss for fear that it will rebound back on them. Blessed are those who have a boss who is open to criticism.
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
15 Mar 11
hi dawnald my doctor used to do like most doctors just prescribe
something without going into any detail as why nor really telling
me anything that would ease my mind. but when I had a falling out
with him over my coming in to see him too frequently he changed. I did not go back to him for six months. now he has changed., he admits that'a diabetic whould be checked every three months and he does explain any new prescription or any changes.For a long time he would only see me every six months and that was really not enoug as at times I had problems keeping my blood sugar level where it belonged. so now I do much better and he keeps up with my health a lot better.I think the same process that those teacher went through would help a lot of doctors to be better doctors too.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Mar 11
Yes, I'm sure it would. And patients speaking up might help too.
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
15 Mar 11
You know the 3 doctors I have had to deal with the past year, only one was nice and concerned about me! The other two were *ssholes! The first one made me cry! I know he had to tell me what I needed to know but he was relentless! He would not let up and that is why I cried! Since then I have not seeen him! Never again! He needs to lighten up and be nicer all his paitents!
The other doctor was at the walk in clinic and he was was not very helpful! He just took a quick look at me! He was not thorough and did not give me alot of suggestions to help my problem! The doctor always asks if you have any questions and I rarely I think of something to ask! Ugh! So I think these doctors could learn something from those teachers in your discussion,Dawn! Learn alot! I wish more people would be like those teachers! We need more of them!
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Mar 11
A lot of people in a lot of professions could learn from something like that...
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
15 Mar 11
Sounds wonderful. If only all schools could be like that. The critique is a good thing and probably helps them all grow and learn as teachers. As well as helps them better themselves as people. There are some people in the profession who just don't belong there. It's a paycheck, not a profession. I agree that those who wish to teach should first pass a psychological evaluation of some sort. It is a difficult, demanding and yet very necessary job. I like the sound of this, wish the NEA would take note. AND the DOE as well. But they won't.
The doctor you describe is a true healer. Not just a graduate of med school, and again it would be nice if ALL were taught to be this way. It would be nice if all doctors really were healers instead of just graduates of med school. Instead of playing at being god, they'd actually HELP people. What a concept that is!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Mar 11
Dearra's science teacher. 
They were all really good teachers before they even got into that school, but it's great that they are open to learning from each other and becoming even better.
Yeah, I don't expect doctors to be perfect, but I hate the ones that come in with that "I'm the expert" attitude...
They were all really good teachers before they even got into that school, but it's great that they are open to learning from each other and becoming even better.
Yeah, I don't expect doctors to be perfect, but I hate the ones that come in with that "I'm the expert" attitude...
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
15 Mar 11
Interesting that you bring this discussion up! My hubby's "new" job is very much like this - and it's very rare to see a company that actually cares to review regularly. This place is all about high performance and high goals - and at least the owner sees that everyone needs to do their part (and do it well). They're willing to send people off to training, classes, whatever you think you need to do to improve your performance at the company. No beating around the bush - they will tell you to your face that you need work in this area or whatever. Sounds great - but at the same time it's a lot of pressure for hubby at the moment . . . a lot is expected out of him currently. He really really wants to stay with this company - they are so incredible efficient and generous to their employees - BUT it's very high pressure, especially since he is the new guy.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Mar 11
Yeah I can see how it would be a lot of pressure. It would probably be a lot worse if they didn't tell him straight out though, and he found at later at a review (or worse)...
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Mar 11
There is a way to do it and a way not to do it, of course. If it comes out as an attack on the person, it is very difficult to take it constructively. The hackles come up, and then all is lost...
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
15 Mar 11
I don't really like being critiqued. Typically at first it upsets me and makes me lose confidence in myself and what I'm doing. Afterwards I do apply the critisism in order to do better.. but still I have trouble accepting it at first. That's just me though.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
15 Mar 11
it seems that there are very few people that really love their job enough to make it love them. but every now and then you come across special people like that. 
i found also that if you compliment someone instead of constantly pointing out their short comings that makes them better at their job. @dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Mar 11
Sometimes it's the work too. Some jobs are probably a lot easier to love...
