Comments on: Fence Sitting http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2007/10/30/fence-sitting/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:39:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: petuniabrown http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2007/10/30/fence-sitting/comment-page-1/#comment-13157 petuniabrown Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:21:08 +0000 http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2007/10/30/fence-sitting/#comment-13157 Hi Graham, I left the classroom 5 years ago after 28 years in teaching because I could not do both jobs. I was handling all of the technology training and network administration in the entire middle school AND teaching 4 full classes a day. The paperwork alone was killing me. So, I left to take a job teaching teachers districtwide. Great, I thought, I will be able to give back all of the wisdom I had gathered over the years. Not so, to begin with, no one seemed to want my accumulated myriad of boxed units, worksheets, teaching resources which I had hoarded over the years and treasured. I guess they thought it was too old. Then, in my new position, all of the teachers thought I was an administrator so, what did I know about teaching? It was a long struggle to win their trust enough to look upon me as a colleague. Albeit, a colleague without a class, without the added burdens of teaching to the test, following a script, accountability. Sure, I had an office and my own phone. But, I did not have the comaraderie of sharing my teaching problems with team mates. I did not have the hearts and minds of a distinct group of youngsters. I did not even know the names of those kids I worked with because I worked with them irregularly. It was hard to see their progress seeing them only once in a while. And looking at the statistics just does not match up to looking at the light bulb that goes off when a lesson goes well. On the other hand, I do enjoy knowing that I might make a larger difference, a systemwide difference working with teachers. Still, I miss belonging -working with everyone means being close to no one. Hi Graham,
I left the classroom 5 years ago after 28 years in teaching because I could not do both jobs. I was handling all of the technology training and network administration in the entire middle school AND teaching 4 full classes a day. The paperwork alone was killing me. So, I left to take a job teaching teachers districtwide. Great, I thought, I will be able to give back all of the wisdom I had gathered over the years. Not so, to begin with, no one seemed to want my accumulated myriad of boxed units, worksheets, teaching resources which I had hoarded over the years and treasured. I guess they thought it was too old. Then, in my new position, all of the teachers thought I was an administrator so, what did I know about teaching? It was a long struggle to win their trust enough to look upon me as a colleague. Albeit, a colleague without a class, without the added burdens of teaching to the test, following a script, accountability. Sure, I had an office and my own phone. But, I did not have the comaraderie of sharing my teaching problems with team mates. I did not have the hearts and minds of a distinct group of youngsters. I did not even know the names of those kids I worked with because I worked with them irregularly. It was hard to see their progress seeing them only once in a while. And looking at the statistics just does not match up to looking at the light bulb that goes off when a lesson goes well. On the other hand, I do enjoy knowing that I might make a larger difference, a systemwide difference working with teachers. Still, I miss belonging -working with everyone means being close to no one.

]]> By: Graham Wegner http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2007/10/30/fence-sitting/comment-page-1/#comment-12973 Graham Wegner Wed, 31 Oct 2007 07:05:06 +0000 http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2007/10/30/fence-sitting/#comment-12973 Mike, you are right. It is a great job and my post isn't so much about workload but a lack of recognition that leadership isn't suddenly an easier gig because there is time away from being in front of a class of students. The students do keep things "real" and that is invaluable in knowing what will fly and won't in the classroom situation when using web based technology. Having the leadership role allows you bigger picture perspective as well, although I would argue that educational blogging is an excellent way for classroom teachers to get that view. Thanks, Chris, for your comment as well. Leadership isn't always about the "extra pay, position title" but can be easily seen by who puts their hand up to be involved and "lead out" with initiative in their teaching role as well. Mike, you are right. It is a great job and my post isn’t so much about workload but a lack of recognition that leadership isn’t suddenly an easier gig because there is time away from being in front of a class of students. The students do keep things “real” and that is invaluable in knowing what will fly and won’t in the classroom situation when using web based technology. Having the leadership role allows you bigger picture perspective as well, although I would argue that educational blogging is an excellent way for classroom teachers to get that view. Thanks, Chris, for your comment as well. Leadership isn’t always about the “extra pay, position title” but can be easily seen by who puts their hand up to be involved and “lead out” with initiative in their teaching role as well.

]]> By: Mike Dunlop http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2007/10/30/fence-sitting/comment-page-1/#comment-12972 Mike Dunlop Wed, 31 Oct 2007 06:28:53 +0000 http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2007/10/30/fence-sitting/#comment-12972 Graham, You are right about all of the extra responsibilities and increased workload that comes with a coordinator role, but forgot to mention one thing – we love it! I applied to be an IT coordinator, was thrilled when I got the chance, and I love my job. Sure, it can be painful when people don’t realize the effort you’re putting in, take things for granted, and expect miracles. But I don’t think there are many jobs in education where that’s not the case. I’m currently searching around for a new job, and could be looking at coordinator roles or a “regular” teaching gig – the positives of a coordinator role far outweigh the negatives for me. It’s a great job! Graham,
You are right about all of the extra responsibilities and increased workload that comes with a coordinator role, but forgot to mention one thing – we love it! I applied to be an IT coordinator, was thrilled when I got the chance, and I love my job. Sure, it can be painful when people don’t realize the effort you’re putting in, take things for granted, and expect miracles. But I don’t think there are many jobs in education where that’s not the case.
I’m currently searching around for a new job, and could be looking at coordinator roles or a “regular” teaching gig – the positives of a coordinator role far outweigh the negatives for me. It’s a great job!

]]> By: chris harbeck http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2007/10/30/fence-sitting/comment-page-1/#comment-12971 chris harbeck Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:24:55 +0000 http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2007/10/30/fence-sitting/#comment-12971 Nice post. People often pick me to do the "leadership" tasks for the Grade 8 team and for other committees. The amount of work that builds up gets to be quite the stack. Then there are those who want to push "good classroom" teachers towards other jobs with the school division. Being a principal, vp or even someone who has to deal with adults all day instead of students is not in the cards for me. I have seen too many other people falter and regret the kid contact. I like your situation even though your work load is heavy. Stay in contact with the kids. They keep us grounded and enjoy what we are selling. Nice post. Nice post. People often pick me to do the “leadership” tasks for the Grade 8 team and for other committees. The amount of work that builds up gets to be quite the stack. Then there are those who want to push “good classroom” teachers towards other jobs with the school division. Being a principal, vp or even someone who has to deal with adults all day instead of students is not in the cards for me. I have seen too many other people falter and regret the kid contact.

I like your situation even though your work load is heavy. Stay in contact with the kids. They keep us grounded and enjoy what we are selling.

Nice post.

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