Bad Batch

Season 1 Episode 1: Aftermath

Nerd Disclaimer

Full nerd alert before you read. I am entering the complete nerd universe by engaging into the animated universe of Star Wars. I am starting my journey with Bad Batch as season 2 just premiered. I am starting with episode 1 and as probably no surprise to any of the very few of you who read my blog, I have found multiple education threads to the show despite watching to work on my 2023 theme of STRUCTURES where I am working to carve time into my day for me and me alone

But I just could not help reflecting and sharing a few connections that even if you don’t watch the show any person in education can connect to. I hope you enjoy the nerdy crossover of thinking and look forward to your thoughts as a reader.

Nerd Disclaimer Over

First things first, let’s give some context in case you are not watching Star Wars animated universe shows. In the premiere episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch which aired May of 2021, we see the main characters, a team of genetically enhanced clone troopers (Bad Batch), struggling with the aftermath of following orders blindly.

There is scene of dialogue that goes as follows:

What are you doing?

Following orders.

We don’t even know what the order is.

Stand down until we know what’s going on.

Good soldiers follow orders.

Read more at: https://tvshowtranscripts.ourboard.org/viewtopic.php?f=973&t=43637

This line speaks to the importance of listening to our intuition, even when it goes against what is expected of us. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that following orders is the right thing to do, but as the scene illustrates, it’s important to question whether those orders align with our own sense of morality and integrity. And more importantly do we even know why the orders exist in the first place?

When I watched this scene if made me think of the numerous conversations and presentations I have been part of where I bring up the idea of tradition and following so called “rules” that we believe exist. I like to poke the bear a bit and ask people when they share why certain things cannot happen in their classroom or school (sometimes there are legit reasons) and to prove where that exists in the rulebook, handbook, etc. Where is theh proof that this rule is actually a rule? Many times these rules or expectations are what I call “invisible rules”. They are self-imposed due to lack of confidence, fear of being wrong, standing out among the mediocrity machine that likes to pull you down with tearing down the good so they don’t stand out for not doing their job or simply traditional mindsets that have passed down these tales of what can and cannot be done. These rules exist is spaces where the culture is not strong. It can happen when leadership has been ill equipped to handle the needs of the community of people involved. These rules develop to keep change from happening. They can be manifested to convince ourselves that it is the students that need changing, not the system. The list can go on and on.

My point is that we don’t always have to follow every rule and I would challenge you to find the source of the barrier, rule, expectation that is holding you back from doing what is best for students. Don’t get me wrong, I am not asking for you to be fired(unlikely to happen) and to go about things by doing what is right, documenting the value of the work, and to work in proactive measures by communicating and sharing why the rules don’t make sense or your solutions could work.

This is hard. This is not easy. Sometimes, you have to choose between what’s easy and what’s right. We have all been at these crossroads. I know I have failed in this space more times than I care to admit. Not just in education, but in life in general as a person, as a parent, as a friend, as a husband, as simply the way I treat myself. I bring this up because it speaks to the difficulty of going against the status quo, but it also highlights the importance of standing up for what we believe in. It’s a reminder that the path of least resistance may not be the one that leads to true fulfillment or success. Maybe in the short term, but I do think there is something to be said for the burnout, lack of educators and admin the profession, and negative perception of education when the machine of the system at large has barely budged in how it operates despite the world changing at a rapid rate all around it.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Episode 1 ‘Aftermath’ is a powerful reminder that listening to our intuition and following our own moral compass can lead to greater understanding and growth despite the challenge to do the work. You will meet resistance. You will at times feel like giving up hope. The challenge is to endure if you really believe in the work.

I am not suggesting you go rogue or rebel (Star War word choice puns intended). It’s a reminder to always question the orders we are given, and to have the courage to speak up and do what’s right, even if it’s not the easiest option. And to do it in a professional manner. Again, this is all about doing what is best not just for students, but for the educators who are at the helm of making a difference on a daily basis. Education continues to become more difficult with each passing day and at some point things need to change and not by going by to 19th century methods.

As stated in the show by Crosshair, “Good soldiers follow orders.” But I would argue only if the orders are in the best interest of doing what is best for everyone involved the education system AND if the right voices are at the table to help bring together a cohesive vision for what needs to be done.