This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Needing to "trim the fat"
If I had the past week to “do over” I honestly wouldn’t change anything I did inside the classroom. My change would be all of the stuff I have to handle when I am not teaching. I heard it 100 times before I entered the world of education, “I would be a great teacher if they would just let me teach”, and I am definitely feeling that way.
I have been pulled in several different directions and I feel that I have allowed myself to get taken advantage of in a way. In my coaching role I have somehow been put in charge of creating the athletic practice schedule for ALL fall sports. In my role as an advisor I have filled up my plate with t-shirt orders, after school events, and budgeting paperwork (not a strong skill of mine). In my new position on the Homecoming committee I have taken on a few more projects than I wanted to and I am now feeling overwhelmed by that. And finally, in my role as the teacher in charge of the morning announcement show, I have found myself in a miniature battle of sorts with administration.
I don’t mean to complain, because I honestly love what I do, but as I reflect on my mistakes of the week, I now see that I need to learn how to say no, and just focus on what I want to do, which is teach!
Wow! And I thought my plate was full. You are exactly right, if we could just teach it would be okay. I think many of us wanted to give back to the fields that we have enjoyed and been a part of for so many years, not really realizing what all was required of teachers. I know I have a new perspective on how undervalued teachers are--people just don't realize it. I wish you the best of luck as you try to juggle many hats...if you get it figured out, please share it with the rest of us!
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Taylor,
ReplyDeleteI completely understand how you feel!! Your post reminds me almost exactly of what I am going through. I didn't realize how much work I said "yes" to. And my next question would be, do our supervisors and administrators really know exactly how much they are asking from us when they need someone to take that job over. I always watch teachers leaving withing a half hour after the bell rings at the end of the day and feel like those are the ones who knew to say "no". I think all this reflection on what we are doing on this blog and learning in class is really helping me to know what to discuss when contracts come out next year. It will help me compile information to know what I need my year next year to look like. Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone! :)
Yes, remember what we talked about this summer. If you are one of those people who have a difficult time saying "no" tell the person you will look at everything you are committed to currently and get back to them. When you get back to them you now have the "element of control" and let them know it is not possible.
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