Alison H wrote:
Dear Chaletian,
Being anxious to do my patriotic duty during wartime, I recently came out of retirement to take a job as temporary headmistress of a girls' boarding school. It seems to me that the school is not achieving its full potential, and so I'm trying hard to improve exam results and get more girls into top universities. Unfortunately, the rest of the staff here - who include the sister of the school's owner - don't seem interested in improving academic performance, and keep telling me that the girls need a lot of rest. The school matron has even threatened to call in "Dr Jem", a very bossy man whom for some reason they all seem to hero-worship, to countermand my instructions: he's married to the school's owner, but as his job is to run a TB sanatorium I've got no idea what he knows about teaching. I'm starting to get the impression that no-one likes me, even though I'm just trying to do my best for the pupils and improve the reputation of the school? What do you suggest? MB.
Dear MB,
I admit, I'm a little confused by your letter! While it is commendable that you - as we all - want to do your patriotic duty during this time of need, how is improving exam results going to help with the war effort?
To address the rest of your problem - it seems that your ideas of what is best is not shared by everyone. MB, remember that not all of us have the same goals in life; while some girls want to go on to achieve academic success, others are content to learn such skills that will help them in married life. Perhaps your school is made up of the latter, rather than the former, in which case you are really wasting your efforts.
However, do not despair! While the school at large may not be ready for your help, there is almost certainly to be a small group of girls who need a high degree of academic success in order to achieve their goals. If you focus your efforts on this small group, and your efforts are sure to be rewarded.
As for this "Dr Jem" creature, perhaps it would be best to just ignore him.
That's what the rest of us do.Warm regards,
NW