I just finished watching the widely acclaimed, Severance, on Apple TV. It is trippy and dystopian and weirdly reminds me of being a teacher. This is especially true of the ludicrous incentives for a job well done.
Let me be clear, I am not hating on the incentives that we get at work. I appreciate every single one of them. I appreciate the time it takes faculty, staff, students, or even parents to get these things together for us. This does not come form a place of ingratitude or even complaining. It's just an observation that when seen in terms of other professions it is considered trippy and dystopian. A sure sign that we are in a crazy, cooky world. In education, however, it is the norm.
In the show, Dylan G. talks dead-seriously about how hard he is working to get his prizes. We see him playing with finger traps, and hear him talking about earning the big prize, a waffle party! At one point, for a morale boost, Mr. Milchick comes in with a 5 minute dance party. As viewers, we are confused as to what kind of world this is where those childish incentives are the rewards for good work. As a teacher, I felt seen. Some of the incentives that we have gotten over my years at 4 different schools are jeans day, a drink from Sonic, an orange snack cart with all orange treats, a smore's bar, a taco party, a pizza party, free school supplies, and a free school T shirt. Again, I will gladly take that over nothing. I just wish we received things like money and promotions.
To be fair, for the first time we are getting Christmas bonuses this year! Like actual money, not just hot cocoa or a staff Christmas party. "The Board" approved it. How do you like me now, Dylan G,?
