Don't overlook supportive admin

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2001 : June : 18

Don't overlook supportive admin
By Michelle

Traci,

As a teacher completing my third year, you cannot overlook good admin, supportive people who will stand behind you, and resourceful, helpful colleagues. I have been in a school where both my headmaster and colleagues
hung me out to dry and a school where everyone stood behind me. The first school was a contractual position with all the benefits in the areas I wanted to teach. I hated it and left at the end of January. The second was a long term substitute position in an area that was somewhat questionable. I loved it. They also offered me a position for the following year. I loved it, not

because the kids were bright, spiffy, and super academic, but because the principals stood behind their teachers, and the teachers stood behind each other. Students did not want to go home after school. They wanted to help sweep classrooms, dust, and build the foyer. The first school was a very wealthy school, and the second was an urban school with many English second language speakers. Professional development at the first was "sharing" one's feelings, and the second was attending writing workshops and literacy development. They paid for me to go.

Before you grab it, ask if you can talk with some of the teachers. They will give you the genuine low down of the school. The principal might be thinking of another school. It happens.

Good luck!!! CONGRATS

Michelle