My decision to transition from the classroom to an administrative role didn’t come to me in one swift moment. I wasn’t crouched down beside a difficult student, conferencing about a writing goal when suddenly I stood up and said, “That’s it! I’m out of here!” I didn’t decide over my oatmeal that I wanted to trade grading papers for more meetings, or daydream while driving about a year when I wouldn’t read Kite Runner for the 8,000th time. I didn’t peer down the hallway at a grouchy colleague and think, “Next year I’d like to evaluate you!” Sure, there were lots of moments where teaching was HARD, but there were way more moments when teaching was the most rewarding thing I'd ever done. I didn’t make the slow transition to leadership because I wanted it easier, or because I didn’t love teaching anymore. Rather, I did it because I love teaching. This may sound crazy because since then my career path means I don’t get to have the experience of having my own classroom. But, I do still wake up thinking about what’s best for kids - I see the faces of the ones I had, and I also see the faces of all your students too. In my job I get to think about teaching every day. I get a window into so many classrooms. I feel lucky. However - as someone who once looked skeptically at people who were removed from the day to day responsibility and privilege of teaching - I get that my choice to leave the classroom may not make sense to all. That's okay! These are all personal journeys. There are so many remarkable, talented people I admire that will spend their career making an impact on children’s lives in their classrooms. You are awesome. I want to capture those remarkable things that you are doing, and help others do them too, because more awesome teachers means more awesome for kids.
After spending two days at the What Great Educators Do Differently (#WGEDD) conference in Chicago this weekend, I was reminded of how important it is to create a learning culture by learning out loud, to model being positive and empathetic, to give people choice and let them be passionate, to cultivate an atmosphere for creation, and to support people collaborating and connecting with the world. All of the things that awesome teachers are doing for students are the things leaders must do for teachers as well.
Just as I would want my students to know that I’m a learner not an expert, and that I’m constantly trying to reflect and improve, I want teachers to know that about me as well. Right now I’m researching, revising, and learning ways to make professional development more personalized for our teachers. (My colleague, Nick Filipowski, hits the nail on the head on the purpose of personalized pd here) I want to help teachers ignite their spark just as much as I hope they can do that for their students. So, as I help to support teachers in changing their practice, or learning something new - I’m here as a guide on the side, a co-learner, a cheerleader for your awesomeness.
Thanks to all the great educators at WGEDD for the inspiration this weekend, and for leading like teachers.
After spending two days at the What Great Educators Do Differently (#WGEDD) conference in Chicago this weekend, I was reminded of how important it is to create a learning culture by learning out loud, to model being positive and empathetic, to give people choice and let them be passionate, to cultivate an atmosphere for creation, and to support people collaborating and connecting with the world. All of the things that awesome teachers are doing for students are the things leaders must do for teachers as well.
Just as I would want my students to know that I’m a learner not an expert, and that I’m constantly trying to reflect and improve, I want teachers to know that about me as well. Right now I’m researching, revising, and learning ways to make professional development more personalized for our teachers. (My colleague, Nick Filipowski, hits the nail on the head on the purpose of personalized pd here) I want to help teachers ignite their spark just as much as I hope they can do that for their students. So, as I help to support teachers in changing their practice, or learning something new - I’m here as a guide on the side, a co-learner, a cheerleader for your awesomeness.
Thanks to all the great educators at WGEDD for the inspiration this weekend, and for leading like teachers.