We are finally coming to a close on the school year. I cannot even begin to express my subdued happiness for this fact. Last year, despite all my efforts to “keep” my job, one that I truly loved and enjoyed despite the political B.S. and all the jazz that accompanies it, I was devastated to be strung along until the bitter end, in hopes of returning because I was part of the next years training, and then to have the chords cut, just like that. Devastated doesn’t even begin to describe the emotions I went through in the summer months that followed. Angry? Frustrated? Questioning? Concerned? My self-worth was empty, non-existent, and the only thought streaming through my head was survival.
We debated and decided to take the position I am in now and for the life of me, this entire year, I have been wondering, why. The area is beautiful. The Olympic Peninsula is lush with vegetation and forests, green as if looking at the Emerald City in the Land of Oz. The beaches are breathtaking with miles of sand and rocky shorelines and driftwood that have been swept back and forth by the tide. Watching the sun set along the Pacific horizon, sink behind the breaking waves at La Push on 1st Beach or up near Neah Bay, the most Northwest Corner of the Pacific Northwest is beyond words. With the mountains just minutes away and the ocean at our fingertips, why can’t we just be satisfied and learn to call this majestic corner of Washington home? To complain about the picture serenely painted by God Himself, is absurd and something I try not to do, even when I drive the hour drive into work midst the downpour of never-ending rain. I try to look at the view of the Olympic Mountain Range from our front window and Thank God for each new day and the challenges presented to me, as a reminder to always be thankful.
My wondering why stems from how last year ended is exactly how this year has ended, as well. I sit here and think, as we are in the final countdown until schools end, what am I supposed to learn from this experience? How is this supposed to help build me up as a teacher, not being renewed two years in a row? What does this say about me or about the districts in which I have worked for? What about the administration behind it all? I have tried piecing everything together, despite how angry and betrayed I have felt over the past two years, and tried pointing the blame at everyone but myself, and have come to the realization of what I know is true; I am a good teacher. I do not stand down when I feel things are not right. I work hard for all that I know, have, and do. And, I will rise above this, given time.
On my quest for searching for work, amid being 6 months pregnant, I have really thought about my career as a teacher and analyzed the past places in which I have worked and have thought…wow, there needs to be some serious changes made in the public school systems. So I conducted a list of what I would like in an ideal workplace. Maybe, in the continuous application process I will delve into this summer, my list will become a reality, and I will find the perfect place to work. This list stems from 2 jobs that really got under my skin, in the 6 years I have been teaching. So, here we go:
1. Principals should not be “pals” with the students. Students are not our “friends”. Students are not necessarily truthful. So, why do we take their word over that of an experienced teacher?
2. Communication is more than an email.
3. Faculty meetings are meant for actual, relevant information, not to pawn off administrative duties to the staff.
4. 100% graduation rate is a goal, not a reality.
5. Have a backbone and deal with confrontation from stakeholders professionally. But get the facts before making any life-altering decisions.
6. Hold kids accountable for their grades and their behavior.
7. Technology is a MUST in order for this generation to succeed. Without, they will simply fail.
8. Excuses are just that…excuses.
9. Constructive criticism---how can I get better if I am never told?
10. Evaluation system recheck-teachers.
11. Scope and Sequence in connection with Curriculum is needed, so we’re not re-teaching kids over and over the same subject matter all 12 years.
12. I teach high school, not go to high school, and so please don’t act like we’re still in it.
13. Reality-school is not all fun and games. Academics should come first and foremost.
14. Last minute schedule changes due to testing or assemblies, etc. only irritate those of us who plan in advance.
15. It’d be nice to feel connected to a staff, rather than isolated and ostracized.
16. Being cursed at by kids is completely and totally unacceptable. And going to discipline should not be a way to get a “get out of jail free” card.
17. Parents need to care about their kids, but not be overbearing.
18. During interviews and when candidates visit schools, don’t lie to them, or feed them lines of B.S. to get them to take the job.
19. Materials and resources are a plus, not outdated, graffiti books.
20. Affluent individuals should not be able to manipulate situations or the system.
21. Walk-through's should be just that---walk through. Not distract the kids and get them off task.
If I can think of more, I might add them. But honestly, I would just like to work in a district that has awesome professional development opportunities; supports, trains, and utilizes all kinds of technology; has good communication between departments AND whole faculty; has caring and compassionate staff that prioritizes each other and family above everything else; COMMUNICATES in ADVANCE about all sorts of things; open, honest; not cattiness among staff members or where one would feel the need to not trust anyone; scope and sequence already in place; an awesome, designed curriculum that allocates the state assessment and district/state/national requirements; constructive criticism and evaluations that help the educator grow; administration that looks into problems first, has a backbone, and holds kids accountable for behavior and actions; a school that has realistic goals and does not spend their money frivolously; awesome, respectful kids that WANT to learn and want to be challenged; parental involvement; true disciplinarian who is not “friends” with the kids; an awesome department (one like my previous JHHS and BRHS would be nice!); awesome classified staff that is not wrapped up in gossip or otherwise; supportive administration who want teachers to be successful…
That should sum it up. Am I asking too much? I don’t think so.
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