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What should be done now?

Choice A
Janet should look for another job. No kidding. Her future effectiveness as a counselor at Eagle Elementary and in the school district is limited. Elaine should keep Janet on a tight leash until the school year ends. The whole episode should be discussed thoroughly by them and be considered as part of Janet’s annual performance appraisal.

Choice B
It is up to Janet and Elaine to create a joint statement about the initiative and developments that occurred. It should contain a set of messages that they agree upon and convey the essentials they want all of their audiences to know about what happened. The messages should then be tailored and delivered to each of their targeted audiences. Among them are the Eagle faculty, children and parents, participants in the program, district leaders, and the media/general public.

Choice C
The name of the game is damage control. Elaine should review and rethink her spur-of-the-moment decision to cut the program short. Then, she should convene a group of parents, educators and key others to determine how to make the most of what was learned to remount a renewed effort to curb student misbehavior.

Choice D
None of these statements is what I would consider doing and saying if I were in Janet’s or Elaine’s shoes.

What should be done now?

You Chose A
Unfortunately, if Janet lets this situation get to her, she should look for another job. Being a change agent often means facing serious personal and career decisions. No one likes to make mistakes on the job, nor do they like to deal with the fall out and continue in their jobs with vigor. If Janet hopes to move forward at Eagle in her job, her professionalism, ego-strength and openness in speaking with Elaine about the matter will stand her in good stead.

You Chose B
This is part of the conversation that Elaine and Janet should hold. Let’s hope Elaine doesn’t close the door to this dialogue. It is up to Janet to make sure that she doesn’t. The moral: be proactive, Janet.

You Chose C
There are some elements of value to this strategy and message. However, if the discussion between Elaine and Janet about what to do doesn’t consider damage control in the context of weighing other alternatives, Janet and Elaine may be confusing what they want for themselves with what they want for children. We like the idea of working with an advisory group to help decide on next steps.

Choice D
Of course you had another idea and are keeping it along with other notes you’ve taken during this case study. Please keep them all safe.

THIS CONCLUDES YOUR CASE STUDY WORK.

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