The Good Old Boy System is Alive and Well

I have to operate in a profession that in some places is very much subject to the good old boy system. You know what I'm talking about. The system in which a few can get together, make a few phone calls, and make a desired outcome happen for the benefit of those few. That manifests in different forms such as hiring practices, facilities decisions, who plays or not and so on. Now you would like to think that this shouldn't happen schools systems because we should be working for the kids and not for ourselves but to the contrary, it is alive and well in schools. This seems to be the easiest route of influence for those who seek personal gains for their families.

I realize that this is largely based on perception. If you are ending up on the short end of the stick all the time it is easy to chalk one up to the good old boy system. I made my own way. I put myself through school, earned my first position in education through merit and the rest is history for me. I am always complaining about the good old boy system because I have never been a part of it. In fact I have days where I feel that I have helped the helpless beat this system and some days I feel that I was a part of it. It is frustrating for guys like me. I have struggled over the past six years with preserving my core values and not "playing the game."

Time has granted me a small bit of wisdom however and I have made peace with this maddening phenomenon. I just need to break even. Sometimes I win and sometimes I loose but the good old boy system can work for you. I don't mean join in, I mean play the game to break even. As long as I win a few and loose a few. I complained to a friend no too long ago about how one organization I have to work with has been overrun by the system and my hope for it was lost. At one time he was a candidate for the director of this organization and I told him that I sure wish would have gotten it so he could make the right impact for the group. He then said that would have put me in the good old boy system. He is right. Wanting my buddies in the right places is exactly what I am complaining about. Idon't want to be a part of the system but I do want what's best for kids. This comes through careful compromise with the system which in turn requires a great amount of patience. If the system wins too many battles, then kids are losing. If I win too many battles, I am part of the system and the kids are losing. The most impact full change for kids seems to be breaking even with the system. Honest compromise helps me be true to my values and helps me advocate for my students.