Since we’ve added more members to this little Teaching2030 party, it’s only right we address the readership instead of each other. So, lets get it started in here! I am so excited that Shannon and Jennifer have been joining us in this space looking at the future of teaching in 2030. The monthly twitter chats […]
Since we’ve added more members to this little Teaching2030 party, it’s only right we address the readership instead of each other. So, let’s get it started in here! I am so excited that Shannon and Jennifer have been joining us in this space looking at the future of teaching in 2030. The monthly twitter chats they have been leading with the hashtag #teaching2030 are really fast paced and refreshing conversations being held every third Thursday of the month from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. EST. I haven’t missed a session because the questions and comments are so interesting and challenging.
Two and 1/2 years ago I became a child development specialist thinking that it was a natural progression. I was studying educational leadership and felt that I needed to leave the classroom to get a taste of what leadership means. I missed the classroom seriously within 2 months. I kept thinking I wanted to be a different kind of leader. One closer to the ones we describe in TEACHING 2030. I expressed my concern to my supervisor who was supportive and encouraged me by saying, “It will get easier, I felt the same way.” I struggled through and wrote about it. I have learned a lot in this position. I learned how to be more organized, to nurture young teachers, and to inspire new hope in seasoned ones. I think the most important thing I learned was that I could have been a better teacher. After visiting some of our classrooms I left thinking, “If I only had a second chance.” Then, after holiday break one of our teachers announced her resignation. I thought about it for about a week and 1/2 and then realized, I wanted to go back. I really didn’t think it would happen this year and then Bam!
Today I became a hybrid teacher. Crazy. Starting next Tuesday I will be leaving my full-time child development specialist position with Head Start to teach a class of 17, 3-year-olds. I will also be serving, at least until the end of the year, as the child development specialist for our Early Head Start program. I get to support 12 teachers of children who range in age from six months to 3-years old. I will work my 8 hour schedule like I do now but, I get to hang out with kids.
I have to give a seriously loud “Thank you!” shout out to my supervisor who has supported my career development, encouraged me to take on new responsibilities, and then gave me back my dream job as a teacher. I also want to thank my wife who encouraged me to go for it. I will let you know how this goes but it will definitely be different.
I have only one word to describe how I am feeling.
“Wheeeee!”
image: http://www.wallpaper4me.com/wallpaper/Finger-Painting/
