During the summer of 1967, there were 158 riots in America. Much of the conflict in cities centered around the unfair treatment of African Americans and the need for recognition of their civil and human rights. Some have described it as the “Summer of Rage” as cities erupted in violence. On March 10th of that same year, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, released a song called Dr. Feelgood, reminding those around her to make room and leave them to enjoy the bliss of their time together. She soulfully dismissed anyone who shattered the euphoria of her time with the song’s namesake. The song appeared on an album titled “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You”. The album provides us with a framework of the complexity of relationships, even our relationships with and around our chosen profession. The harsh reality of adulthood, particularly relationships, is that we don’t always get to remain in the blissful ‘feel-good’ moments. Authentic relationships, whether personal or professional, have moments of vulnerability, disappointment, and disagreement that add balance to our most cherished ‘feel-good’ moments. It’s safe to say that we often chase Dr. Feelgood with the hope that we can remain in that state. Recognition, appreciation, and empathy are the approaches that give us those ‘feel-good’ moments at work.
The back cover of the album features liner notes from Jerry Wexler, the Executive VP of Atlantic Records. He is often seen in old images providing Aretha with feedback and helping her shape and craft her legendary sound. As naturally talented as she was, she had to remain open to getting feedback from those who would help her voice attain global impact. He opens with a description of the Queen of Soul that, in many ways, describes the types of teachers we need today:
Lately, I’ve been thinking about the impact of recognition on the culture and climate of the workplace and teacher retention. For those of us who are intrinsically motivated or drawn to the challenge of innovation, external recognition, while appreciated, is not the determining factor for the depth or quality of our work. However, this perspective can present a problem for leaders unwilling to see it from a different perspective. Surveys on workplace turnover and employee retention strategies report that “65% of employees haven’t received any form of recognition for good work in the last year. When people aren’t appreciated for their hard work, they aren’t as inclined to continue to produce”. Building the dream team is one thing, but keeping the team together for additional seasons requires some reflection on what employees need today. In addition to training, resources, and team-building activities, our employees want to be recognized for what they do to help our organizations.
Dr. Feelgood was a song that appeared on Aretha Franklin’s 10th studio album. The tracklisting of this album could serve as a pre-service guide for teachers entering our profession, starting out with “Respect”, followed by “Drown in My Own Tears”, then moving to “Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream”. We’ve all been there as early career teachers or those who have felt the weight of the profession in later years. Side 2 of the album is where Aretha introduces us to “Dr. Feelgood”, reminding us in the song’s subtitle that “Love is a Serious Business”. She follows that up with “Good Times”:
Everybody get in the groove and let the good times roll
I’m gon’ stay here ’til I soothe my soul
If it takes all night long, yeah
This album closes with her version of “A Change is Gonna Come”, made popular by Sam Cook in December 1964. The song is an ode to perseverance and would become a spark of inspiration as the soundtrack of the civil rights movement.
There’ve been times that I thought
I thought that I wouldn’t last for long
But somehow right now I believe
That I’m able, I’m able to carry on
My loving critique of a new wave of teachers finding their way in this profession is to embrace the feel-good moments but understand and accept that every moment of growth won’t feel good. Your school leaders hear your frustration and understand the demands of the profession. However, in order to coach you up and through the storm, we have to balance the “Dr. Feelgood” moments with the well-placed subtitle: “Love is a Serious Business”. We profess our love of kids and our love of the profession, but love, true love, means that we bounce back from the rough patches as much as we chase the “Good Times”. As you are stretched and challenged in this profession, you are going to have moments when you wonder whether “A Change Is Gonna Come”, whether you will “Drown in [Your] Own Tears” or if you can get a little more “Respect”. The album, in its honesty, balance, and range of emotions, is an appropriate backdrop for how we must approach our work as educators.
Andre Benito Mountain 