My parents worked in education for over twenty years, as did their parents and grandparents before them. There are words of wisdom from practical work they observed, of dealing with bureaucrats and the rank and file. I've seen it myself that those who don't know anything often tell those who know all what to do. They're the ones in power, the ones who give the orders and we all salute and say "yessir" or "yess maam" then grumble to ourselves. Why? Because more often and not its the the best results are borne from opposing viewpoints, the best people to understand results are those who work the day-to-day jobs that no one else wants to do - not those borne from highborn bureaucrats and politicians. Of course, that is just my view, but it brings to mind a story to back it up.
When my Mom and Dad worked at High Schools in Los Angeles while my Grandfather, Bill, was superintendent, the lunch workers would make meals for both staff and students. Most of us have horror stories about school cafeteria food, we imagine something flat and pasty on a plate with no taste. This was not the case at this particular school. Sure the lunch ladies had a particular set menu, they had a district approved set of standards and rules and measures to make food - they just ignored it because the food tasted awful if they used it. Instead, they used their practical skill, years of dedication and simple common sense to make delicious food.
The way my Dad tells it, he remembers teachers lining up Wedsday mornings and the smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls wafting down the hall. Everyone wanted them because they were delicious, and they went fast. Well, the powers that be got wind of this, and of course, they weren't happy that the lunch women were not following their exact prescribed recipes - so they brought their hammer down. The result was night and day. In an instant, the pastries lost all tase, the lines vanished and food was wasted. That's where the story ends, but I wonder if the bean counter who made that decision patted themselves on the back after that. Given my own experience working with school administration over 15 years, they more than likely wondered why no one was eating the food and never questioned they were the cause.
The way my Dad tells it, he remembers teachers lining up Wedsday mornings and the smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls wafting down the hall. Everyone wanted them because they were delicious, and they went fast. Well, the powers that be got wind of this, and of course, they weren't happy that the lunch women were not following their exact prescribed recipes - so they brought their hammer down. The result was night and day. In an instant, the pastries lost all tase, the lines vanished and food was wasted. That's where the story ends, but I wonder if the bean counter who made that decision patted themselves on the back after that. Given my own experience working with school administration over 15 years, they more than likely wondered why no one was eating the food and never questioned they were the cause.
I look at school lunches every day given my work, and nine chances out of ten I think that kids and parents know better than the folks telling schools what to serve. Sure, we want healthy kids, but of all the educational opportunities there's none when it comes to food and food waste. Japan teaches it, we don't. Those kids take part in making, serving, cleaning up and I would reason to think their food is never wasted. Another bit of common sense, another opposing view.
Common sense, Cinnamon Rolls are the Sweetest Principals.
Common sense, Cinnamon Rolls are the Sweetest Principals.