Cognitive Dissonance

This week I was doing some research and writing about cognitive dissonance. I was intrigued by how it relates to teacher burnout, the topic I am currently writing about. I guess I have always been fascinated by how our brains work. The idea that one brain can work in conflict is incredible such as when our behaviors and beliefs do not agree. Such misalignment causes problems. To make the point, have you ever felt bad about the way you’ve behaved? I know I have. Perhaps you’ve experienced regrets over something you’ve said or done, feeling as though your actions didn’t quite reflect your true intentions or beliefs. These uncomfortable moments are classic examples of cognitive dissonance. It is the psychological discomfort that arises when a person’s behavior doesn’t align with their values, beliefs, or self-image. 

Imagine wanting to live a healthy lifestyle, but not taking steps to exercise. I lived this way for many years. Food was my comfort and exercise, not so much. I had intentions of staying fit and healthy, but my actions, along with my love of nachos, contradicted my intentions. Like most, I blamed it on time. Time wasn’t my issue. Television, late night snacks, cravings, overeating, and the fallacy of fatigue were my problems. I lived in cognitive dissonance and it was tiring. 

Teachers, like anyone else, experience the tension that comes from behaving in ways that don’t align with their personal or professional standards. For instance, consider the scenario where a teacher knows they have a stack of papers that need to be graded. Their students are counting on them to return these assignments with feedback the next day. The responsible thing to do would be to sit down after school and focus on grading. However, instead of tackling the most pressing task, the teacher might spend their time socializing with colleagues or engaging in other activities that take them away from their grading responsibilities. In this situation, the teacher’s behavior of putting off grading, is in direct conflict with their professional values of responsibility and commitment to their students. Later that night, as the clock ticks closer to midnight, the teacher begins to feel the weight of that ungraded stack of papers. Anxiety sets in, and sleep becomes difficult as the reality of unfinished work looms large. The teacher knows they should have used their time more wisely, and the dissonance between their actions and their professional standards becomes a source of stress and fatigue. The inner conflict of wanting to do what’s right but failing to follow through creates that familiar discomfort associated with cognitive dissonance. I see this cycle constantly in my household with my wife, who is a teacher, my children with their homework, and with my own work. The reality is, when we act this way, we are punishing ourselves.   

We all suffer from cognitive dissonance and the good news is that it can be fixed. The solution is within our grasp. As a matter of fact, you create your own simple solution: align your beliefs with your actions. When your actions are in harmony with your values, there’s no dissonance, and you can move through life with a greater sense of peace and integrity. For me it is going on my runs every morning and staying away from the nachos in the evening. Hopefully your challenges are easier than mine. Have a great weekend. (cue What a Fool Believes - The Doobie Brothers)

Until next time... 

Connections to Our Collective Past

This past week I attended the USDA Grantee Gathering in Omaha, Nebraska. Though I had so much to do on site, as the representative of the school, I was mandated to attend. It was very interesting to see the multitude of people in attendance. There were individual schools, districts, and nonprofits that support schools, all ultimately centered around the idea of farm to school. I had an interesting time. Though I had challenges with my travel upon my return, which left me stranded in Denver airport for a night, I can still look upon the trip as favorable. The highlight was not what was happening within the conference, it was with a person I met. On the first morning, we were directed to sit at certain discussion tables. I found my table group, took a seat, and introduced myself. The woman sitting next to me introduced herself as Linda Moore, Founder of a Charter School in Washington D.C. When she started speaking, her accent did not fit with D.C., so I asked her. She proudly said that she was from Little Rock, Arkansas. At this point, I began to nerd out. You see, I traveled last summer to Little Rock to the PLC Conference with several teachers. In Little Rock is Central High School, one of my bucket list visits. You may be asking, why is Central High School a bucket list item? I taught for 9 years at Central High School in Fresno, and in my first year there, a Central High (Little Rock) Alumnus spoke to us at an Assembly. It was Terrence Roberts, a member of the Little Rock Nine. The first nine African-American students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. His story was amazing and the perseverance these students showed captivated me. How could people be so cruel? I asked myself. Then my mind would immediately jump to, How could those students endure such harassment? We have all seen the pictures of racists 8 deep on each side of the school stairway and the National Guard vehicles trying to block them from entering the school. The 101st Airborne Division was sent to protect the students by President Eisenhower, but that was just to get them inside. There was no protection from the other students once inside. State Government versus the Federal and the students were in the middle. I walked those steps to the main doors of Central High and I couldn’t even imagine the emotions experienced by the nine students. They must have been terrified! As I continued talking to her about it, she told me that she knew Terrence and the Little Rock Nine, including Melba Patillo. Then she said Melba Patillo’s mother was her Godmother. I about fell out of my chair. I could continue, but I really should cut it short. She did continue telling me her story, because I kept asking. Truly inspiring! I have now added a family trip to D.C. on my bucket list, not for the Capitol buildings, Holocaust Museum, or the Smithsonian, but to introduce my family to Ms. Linda Moore, the 75 year old founder of a school for inner city youth. I have a date to sit for tea and visit her school. My conversation with her motivated me to be better than I am, to do more than I can, to listen when I can’t, and to see even though I may be obstructed. She was delightful and the highlight of my journey. In speaking with her I was humbled. After that morning, the challenges of my life seemed to not be so difficult. At the end of the second day, I saw her again as we were entering the elevator. She looked tired as many of us were at that point. She paid me the best compliment, “I’m 75 and this stuff makes me tired. I can’t put in these long days like you young folks!” I smiled. “Ms. Moore, it has been a very long time since someone has called me young. I thank you.” May you have a super weekend and enjoy the glorious weather.

Until next time...