I have watched a disturbing trend lately.

It used to be that schools operated as a team. It was a horizontal process with the principal being a member of the team and problems were solved cooperatively and consensus was the goal. This, of course, required consultation.

Now, the trend is towards a top-down management style. This has had devastating effects on the morale of teachers. Teachers no longer have any energy for creative or innovative ideas because they are so busy trying to meet the criteria set by the principal.

This has resulted in the recruitment of bosses with narcissistic personalities. They seem to care nothing for the quality of instruction. Their goal is to look good in the eyes of the district. They seem to spend a great deal of time developing useles but 'glitzy' school goals and even more time monitoring teachers to make sure that their goals are being followed by teachers and students alike. Anyone who dares to question anything the principal says is in for a great deal of harassment, regardless of educational rationale.

Teachers have been reduced to factory workers and the students are nothing more than an assembly line product. Gone are the days of teacher autonomy. Say hello to standardized tests and teachers that are just doing their job.