Factory Lines

The bottle starts empty at the end of the factory line.  At each stop it is filled and fixed up by an outside source. The bottle starts at the end of the line with little value.  The bottles all look the same and are filled up in the same order using the same tools.  Machines have replaced humans as workers on the factory lines.  Machines that do the same standardized task, over and over again. 

A student enters school and goes to 1st period to be filled up and made ready for the end goal of passing the test.  The bell rings. The student is given 5 minutes to get to their 2nd period class to be filled again with knowledge we assume they are lacking in a different subject.  Repeat 7 times. 

A teacher enters school, picks up their prescribed curriculum and syllabus, and fills the heads of her students seated in an orderly fashion.  Repeat 7 times.  

Machines replaced humans many years ago with the realization that a machine was a much more affordable and efficient way to create mass production.  The empty bottles didn't require a human touch after all. 

Ever wondered why we treat students like empty bottles in the factory line of their 7 period day?  Have you wondered why teachers are leaving the profession confused and disillusioned when we hand them scripts to read from and scores to bring up?  

The idea that students come to us empty with little to contribute and learn in all the same way at the same pace leads to educational malpractice.  The notion that teachers are only good for reading scripts and affecting numbers is defamation to the profession. 

Who wants to stop the factory line cycle and revolutionize this antiquated model?  What if we saw students and teachers as individuals full of gifts, talents, and passions?  What if we truly used these gifts to reimagine school. 

Vulnerable leaders don’t have all the answers but they know how to rally their gifted colleagues and get started!  Let’s race away from normal and start the revolution.