8:47 AM
Marshall
During a presentation, a man that I hold in high regard and for whom I have great respect stated essentially the following (quoting as best I can from a couple years ago):
Educators are basically “kept” individuals that typically have never had to venture out on their own. When we were children, our parents cared for us, we attended college where necessities were provided, and then we were hired into a field that provides income, insurance, support, training, etc. We have never, as educators, had to create or re-create anything in order to survive.
As the individual stated the above, he also was very careful to apologize and state that he wasn’t meaning to be offensive or say that educators are lazy or incompetent (as some naturally bristle at anything) and was including himself in the mix. I remember the statement’s core message and some of the following conversation that ensued, but it wasn’t a turning point in my life or even an “ah-ha moment” for me.
Spin the hands of time forward about two years now, and this statement really started to make more and more sense. Due to budget reductions, one of the actions of my school was to reduce an administrator. That burden had to fall somewhere, and it landed on me after 8 years with the district, which left me out of a job with a family to support. That also meant no health care through the system and even a limited professional sense of who I was. That part surprised me.
I flashed back to this statement, and realized the truth in it more than ever. It was a realization that my employment really is much like my parent or guardian, making sure that things get done and are accounted for accurately. It provides structure and security as well as challenges and income.
Since that point, it has been my fortune to interview at several schools across my state and enjoy the learning and exchanges that occur in those settings. A few times I saw some positions that seemed to be a very good fit, but the district found an educator that they saw as a better fit. Other times at the end of the interview, I knew the phone would not ring with good news as the fit was clearly not there. The part that I liked is that they saw me for who I was and what I stood for.
As the season for hiring was well underway, there were several opportunities still waiting and still being hired, but it seemed to me that they were less plentiful and maybe even less of a fit. At some point, I decided maybe it was time not to be “kept” and began talking to a few people out of the educational community as I continued to interview and submit applications in the educational field. Although it was certainly an interesting option, most of what I heard was not overly appealing and lacked a certain level of challenge that I have come to expect and enjoy. It would, however, be a job and I could support my family.
I don’t know how many times I heard about doors closing and windows opening, but it was frequent. I appreciated the concept and believed that it was true-that the right thing would be out there. It’s amazing how that happens sometimes as ultimately a district and I found a mutual fit that I anticipate to be a great opportunity for myself, and it is my belief that the district will also benefit from my efforts. Although I would have taken a few other positions had they been offered, this position is clearly one of the top two for which I applied and was interested. So good, solid doors closed on me (ouch, by the way) so that Garage Door of Opportunity could open and beckon me in to a challenging and rewarding position that I look forward to starting. What a relief and burden was taken from my shoulders when that occurred.
Once again I will be the “kept” individual in a system that values students and learning. I can live with that.
Educators are basically “kept” individuals that typically have never had to venture out on their own. When we were children, our parents cared for us, we attended college where necessities were provided, and then we were hired into a field that provides income, insurance, support, training, etc. We have never, as educators, had to create or re-create anything in order to survive.
As the individual stated the above, he also was very careful to apologize and state that he wasn’t meaning to be offensive or say that educators are lazy or incompetent (as some naturally bristle at anything) and was including himself in the mix. I remember the statement’s core message and some of the following conversation that ensued, but it wasn’t a turning point in my life or even an “ah-ha moment” for me.
Spin the hands of time forward about two years now, and this statement really started to make more and more sense. Due to budget reductions, one of the actions of my school was to reduce an administrator. That burden had to fall somewhere, and it landed on me after 8 years with the district, which left me out of a job with a family to support. That also meant no health care through the system and even a limited professional sense of who I was. That part surprised me.
I flashed back to this statement, and realized the truth in it more than ever. It was a realization that my employment really is much like my parent or guardian, making sure that things get done and are accounted for accurately. It provides structure and security as well as challenges and income.
Since that point, it has been my fortune to interview at several schools across my state and enjoy the learning and exchanges that occur in those settings. A few times I saw some positions that seemed to be a very good fit, but the district found an educator that they saw as a better fit. Other times at the end of the interview, I knew the phone would not ring with good news as the fit was clearly not there. The part that I liked is that they saw me for who I was and what I stood for.
As the season for hiring was well underway, there were several opportunities still waiting and still being hired, but it seemed to me that they were less plentiful and maybe even less of a fit. At some point, I decided maybe it was time not to be “kept” and began talking to a few people out of the educational community as I continued to interview and submit applications in the educational field. Although it was certainly an interesting option, most of what I heard was not overly appealing and lacked a certain level of challenge that I have come to expect and enjoy. It would, however, be a job and I could support my family.
I don’t know how many times I heard about doors closing and windows opening, but it was frequent. I appreciated the concept and believed that it was true-that the right thing would be out there. It’s amazing how that happens sometimes as ultimately a district and I found a mutual fit that I anticipate to be a great opportunity for myself, and it is my belief that the district will also benefit from my efforts. Although I would have taken a few other positions had they been offered, this position is clearly one of the top two for which I applied and was interested. So good, solid doors closed on me (ouch, by the way) so that Garage Door of Opportunity could open and beckon me in to a challenging and rewarding position that I look forward to starting. What a relief and burden was taken from my shoulders when that occurred.
Once again I will be the “kept” individual in a system that values students and learning. I can live with that.
