"If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." --Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Like the others I'm really feeling the end of the semester. Though I learned a lot and I'm glad for that, I'm also glad that we're almost through.
On a different note, I had a personal experience earlier this week that speaks to our recent readings. I was told, in a rather sour fashion, that participation in school committees would be a requirement for my PTEP group; my "extracurricular" IRA involvement would not be enough. I was reading through quotes for this week's blog and was touched by the phrase quoted above. I love my school and want to contribute in the best way that I can. However, being told how and where I can apply my talents (else I would be "expendable!") rubbed me the wrong way. It is also the wrong way for a school leader to encourage others to be productive. Being "forced" into acting encourages only contrary feelings. While I agree that committee involvement or participation in an advisory capacity is great and good, there are other ways of getting teachers to cooperate. Like the quote says, make us long for an end goal with all our hearts, and we'll find our own way there!
I hope this is something that I can apply as a teacher and a Reading Specialist. I want to infect my students and colleagues with a thirst for literacy and give them tools to help them along the way, letting their newly-kindled passion do the work!
Christine,
ReplyDeleteglad to hear from you! we're on the same wave-length! I wonder if the principals have meetings amongst themselves. Last I checked the PTEP required me to be involved in 3 committees, I am now on my 8th! I understand the need to get accredited and be involved in extracurricular school activities, but to attend meetings before, during, and after school??? Are you kidding me?! What happened to our most important job of TEACHING our students?? At the end of the day I'm burnt out and there's still classes and family life. But I shouldn't complain, some say they're in 10 or committees. I'm seriously thinking of a lateral transfer somewhere, anywhere!! But right now we must concentrate on finishing classes, so I better keep my nose on the grindstone and not look back. We're almost there!!
I am thinking that all the dissatisfaction with leadership just emphasizes the need for really good leadership skills as pointed out by the IRA standards for reading specialists and what our text says about leadership. Must to have....good communication and interpersonal skills... I often think that our current school leaders need a bit of refresher on how to be an effective school leader. Sometimes power does not have positive effects on the subordinates. Hang in there Christine, you can overcome because you have the right attitude for reaching your goals.
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