Southampton Successfully Launched into Literacy!

Today I had a wonderful morning at 2008 TOY Mike Flynn's home base, the William E. Norris School in Southampton where I was invited to give the keynote at the kickoff of their new district wide literacy initiative. I hit a milestone today - one successful powerpoint presentation under my belt! With my new remote clicker (complete with laser) in hand I conquered the computer/projector connection and teachertube video! It was great fun to speak about my passion - teaching reading and writing and I wish the district great success as they move forward. I am particularly happy to see them taking advantage of the teacher leaders in their own district. Mike, as always, was gracious and helpful in sharing his experiences and a few helpful powerpoint tips with me.

So you want to know what teaching is really like?

Today I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak with the students in Gary Oakes' introduction to teaching course at Simmons College. These first and second year education students were so eager to learn how it is in "the real world." They wondered what my earliest struggles were (maintaining any kind of balance in my life) and what the struggles are eleven years later (so much to teach, so little time.) Their questions brought introspection and have had me reflecting on my career all evening. The future of our profession lies in these young people. I hope that they will enter teaching in a few years supported by strong mentors and nurturing administrators who help them achieve and grow into the teacher leaders of the future.

Got Leadership? Making Change in your Classroom and School

Today I attended the Got Leadership? Making Change in your Classroom and School Conference at Brandeis University. I was most struck by the keynote address given by Rob Evans. Speaking about teacher leadership and change in schools, Rob eloquently stated that changes announced in schools almost always mean something new being added in for teachers to do. Change, he said, "is also accompanied not by the excitement of the plan but by grief and bereavement in what will be lost in the process." I am struck by this because I don't think administrators really think about that and I know they never acknowledge it with teachers.

During the question and answer period a principal asked how she could get her teachers to take on leadership roles within the school community. That was an easy answer for me, one whose hand shot up so fast I was almost in pain, appreciation and remuneration! We must compensate teachers for these extra duties and we must relieve them of some of their other duties so they can still have a life with their families while they do their job. Teaching is our profession, not a volunteer opportunity. When Rob asked what those of us in the audience had given up to take on leadership roles in our schools, I was so saddened to hear one teacher state that she had given up "date nights" so she could handle her job. This is just unacceptable. The National Education Association (NEA) reports that "20% of newly hired teachers leave the classroom within the first three years of teaching, and in urban areas the number of teachers leaving the classroom is closer to 50% of newly hired teachers leaving within the first five years of teaching." Our wonderfully dedicated and talented teacher leaders (and future teacher leaders) must be permitted to have a balance in their lives. If we truly value and want to encourage and develop our teachers as leaders we must ask ourselves, What will we take out to insure their success?