Administrators, Are We Making Too Much Noise?
In this video, Dr. Justin Baeder discusses how radios, PA announcements, and walkthrough interruptions from administrators may be disrupting the very learning they're trying to support.
Key Takeaways
- Admin noise disrupts learning - Radios, PA systems, and walkthrough interruptions can undermine the focused learning environment schools need
- Be intentional about communication methods - Not every message needs to interrupt instruction
- Model the quiet focus you want to see - If we expect students and teachers to stay focused, administrators should minimize unnecessary disruptions
Transcript
Let's talk about administrator noise and interruptions.
I was surprised to hear how many teachers say that they're frequently interrupted by administrators with classroom walkthroughs that are not just intended to kind of see what's going on in the class, be a fly on the wall, but like actual interruptions that disrupt the lesson and talk with students and kind of just interfere with the teacher's teaching.
And I've also been thinking, I've seen some discussions around two-way radios and how some people have earpieces so that the radio is not just blasting to everybody in proximity of the administrator.
I also saw a discussion today about PA system announcements.
And I wonder what you think about this.
Because those were things that were not part of my experience as an administrator.
We didn't really use two-way radios, didn't really make announcements in my school.
We just kind of didn't see the need to do those kinds of things.
And I'm wondering how much of your day is interrupted by stuff like that, either by direct interruptions from classroom walkthroughs, which I'm a big fan of.
I'd say don't interrupt the lesson, but do visit classrooms frequently.
or by PA system announcements or the walkie talkies and things like that.
Because I think we have some opportunities to cut down on the disruptiveness of those things while still accomplishing the same goals.
And again, the earpieces, I think is a great idea.
I'm not sure I would want to wear an earpiece all day, but I certainly like, I'm one of those people who I have to have my phone on silent all the time.
Like if my phone makes any kind of noise, at all.
There was, like, an emergency broadcast test a couple weeks ago, and, like, I was mortified, even though I was, like, at home.
I just don't want to be making any noise with my devices, and that would certainly apply to a radio, and I feel like a lot of stuff we talk about, uh, on a two-way radio would be confidential anyway.
Like, I don't want stuff just kind of blasting out and, uh, I've been in schools or have heard of people visiting schools where there are just tons and tons of PA announcements that are really only intended for one person.
Like they repeatedly call one person to the office or call the custodian to somewhere.
It's like, don't we have better ways of reaching people than to interrupt hundreds and hundreds of people?
Because like everything we do in a school, you can't just consider how do I solve this one problem?
You have to consider like, what is the impact going to be on the hundreds of people who are hearing this and being interrupted by it?
So let me know what you think.
Let me know.
what the situation is with radios and announcements and walkthroughs and admin noise like that.