What she says v. what they hear

Some brilliance from Sue King over at LeaderTalk:

I have said, “We must be explicit about what we want students to know, understand and be able to do.”
What some heard was, “You are not doing a good job.”

I have said, “We will be more effective [if] we collaborate and work together to figure out how to best meet the needs of our students.”
What some heard was, “You are not doing a good job.”

I have said, “The responsibilities of public education have changed; we can learn together how to be successful in this new environment.”
What some heard was, “You are not doing a good job.”

I have said, “I believe in the ability of teachers to reach and teach ALL children.”
What some heard was, “You are not doing a good job.”

Educators’ reflexive defensiveness is a fact of life in most school organizations and is a challenge for leaders who are trying to move their schools in new directions. What do you see in your school or district?