“You Can’t Always Get What You Want. . .”
September 12th, 2007
I’m still struggling to resume my blog practice. I’m scarcely reading online or writing. I just went into my bloglines account and seriously limited the number of feeds I’m reading, down from 24 to 10. Maybe that will help because I won’t skim so quickly with the idea that I’ve got to get through it all. Maybe if I can take the time to read fewer blogs I’ll give each more serious consideration.
Everyone I come into contact with in school or our community asks me how I like my new job. Since I’ll NEVER be a poker player, I answer honestly with, “I really like my new responsibilities, I just seriously miss my old ones.” I can’t stand it when a kid comes into the office with a problem or a parent calls because she’s ticked off about something and it’s no longer my primary responsibility to respond. In fact, I should be asking the parent to talk to our new principal. A mom called me this week and asked me to talk to her son about his schedule, transition to high school, and possible honors/non-honors course work. I was so delighted that I promised to see her son and told our new principal, “I know this is stepping on your toes a bit, but I really want to do this. I’ll step away, but let me take baby steps.”
We had to solve a busing to vocational problem that’s interfering with lunch or lunch is interfering with the busing. I was stoked when our principal and dean of students discussed it with me, because I realize I LOVE that kind of problem solving.
I do like the new job, the planning and coordinating of staff development. When our superintendent let me take the lead on the second day of staff development, it was awesome. There’s lots of new learning for me too. For example, I’m reading books like Charlotte Danielson’s “Enhancing Professional Practice” and determining how we can incorporate this into our current APPR plan. I also need to learn much more (since I know nothing now) about grant writing and I’m looking for training in this area. I have plenty of new responsibilities to occupy my mind, like an articulated K-12 curriculum with planned assessment, community education, the mentor teacher program, and after school programs.
I just miss the action. The right this minute, listen to this problem or situation and solve it stuff. I love watching an irate parent or upset kid or frustrated teacher walk out the door feeling listened to and helped –that’s the part of my job I think I was best at and I miss it. I like my new job but I really wish I still had that other piece of the old job too. I want it all. Is that so much to ask for?
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See also:
- Empowering Teachers and Students (November 23rd, 2009)
- When is Life Fair? (November 18th, 2009)
- Randolph Parent Responds (November 12th, 2009)
- Randolph Cardinals Keep On Winning! (November 9th, 2009)
- Sectional Season (October 28th, 2009)
September 12th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Kim,
I’m glad you wrote, and we miss your voice.
I recall when I transitioned from being a teacher to being a librarian at a different campus with 2400 students.
I really missed “knowing” my own students and having that close connection with them. Sometimes I still miss that sense of importance, even after a long time out of the classroom.
I perceive teachers to be part of my own “students” now, and think of my job as really being their advocate and support person, as well as a support for students.
But I do completely get what you mean….it brought back memories of my mixed emotions the first several years of being in the library.
Glad to see you post!
Carolyn
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September 13th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Kim,
Do you want my notes from this summer?
I like the research more than writing the grant process.
I got a sweet certificate for taking the class.
Boces is awesome. I like mindless information. You never know when it may come in handy.
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September 13th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
It seems that if you are eventually able to see your teachers as part of your students and can offer them the kind of support and respect that you have given your students over the years you will be indirectly foster a better educational experience for all. It may take time to adjust to this but never the less will cause a better experience for all. It is important that you care to do the job always thinking of the students and now staffs best interest. I, as always, think you are the one for this job because you care.
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September 19th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Okay. I have kept quiet on this one. I have pondered it for a few days because it rings true for my current job and in my past job. I just can not figure out why writing on my own blog is such a struggle, yet I can read and respond to others’ thoughts and ideas almost every day.
Here is the deal for me. I find the Director of Curriculum position lonely. It is lonely here, and it was lonely in my previous job. There is one of me in this district. There was one of me in the past district. I often feel so detached from kids, and that is a problem for me. I loved teaching, and the more I do and grow as a professional, the more it seems that I am detached from what I love most – kids! (Kudos to you for making sure you visit classrooms. That is the favorite part of my job!) I know that in reality what I do GREATLY affects kids, but it still feels lonely at times, especially when I am in the classrooms missing the close interactions I see with kids and their teachers.
A principal sees teachers, kids, parents and colleagues every day. That right there gives you LOTS to write about. Kim, you wrote about your interactions with others, problems that came across your desk, and current events in your district about kids and parents. Those situations are real to us readers! Blogging about people touches our emotions. It is what we care about, or we would not be in this field in the first place.
An assistant superintendent or curriculum director could find himself or herself sitting behind a desk everyday to get the work done. There are days that you may not even leave your office unless you schedule yourself to do so! The job is so overwhelming for one person. I have been in this position less than 6 months, and I could sit here day after day organizing staff development time, working on updating plans, reviewing new documents that seem to come forth every day and try to make connections amongst it all. I often find myself blogging about PDP’s, APPR’s, upcoming staff development and it does not seem as real or as interesting as writing about kids, parents and day-to-day work of a principal.
Give yourself time. Soon the staff development will become more personal to you and your passion of writing will come back to you!
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September 20th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever read a reader’s comment where I thought “YES! She understands what I’ve been struggling with” like I did with Melissa’s comment to this post. Thank you Melissa–for articulating what I’ve been struggling with, for sharing it here, and for understanding.
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