A lot of people have asked me about my “career path”, and most of them are surprised that my answer doesn’t include getting into administration. They often seem a little deflated as though administration is obviously the ultimate goal for any ambitious, moderately capable teacher.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m very impressed by the obvious work ethic, ambition, self-confidence, and determination of those young administrators out there (and the not so young ones, Dad). I’ve met many of them and I’m convinced they’re in it for the right reasons and they feel very strongly about their abilities to impact student achievement. I just don’t think that that’s the only way to have an impact in education.
I haven’t completely figured out what I want to be doing as a teacher ten years from now, but I do know that it will involve being in the classroom. I’d like to do my masters, I’d like to write, do some action research. . . . I have lots of ambition, and to prove it, here is my ultimate goal: I want to be a exemplary teacher. I want to be a rock star among teachers. I want to be the kind of teacher about whom other teachers will say “Oh, go ask her. She’s an awesome teacher.” I want to be a really good teacher.
Quite frankly, I don’t think it gets more ambitious than that.
I think that administration is not for everyone. If you love what you are doing, why would you want to do something else? There are lots of different and interesting aspects to teaching that you don’t get to experience as an administrator and you can also be a school leader without being an adminstrator! “To thine own self be true.”
Darn thing cut me off when I went to add to my post!*lol*
I was going to say that I also have tremendous respect for administrators! I have been lucky to work with a number of creative, caring and thoughtful adminstrators over the years!
Thanks for your comment(s)
I would never want to give the impression that I don’t have respect for the incredibly difficult job that administrators do. My father’s a principal and I’ve seen first-hand how challenging his job is. I also know many administrators who say it’s the best job in the world, and I’m sure it is for them. It’s just not where I see myself going!
I absolutley agree with you! Among the other thousands of dreams I had growing up, one of them was to be a teacher; an awesome teacher! I think you have tons of ambition and the best part, you have passion.
The assumption of a path to administration if an ambitious teacher is even more evident when you are male. It’s like you’re not allowed to teach past 5 years anymore.
You’re right on! Teaching rocks. The Great Teacher is an artist is a true sense. Yes, there are scientific considerations in learning, yet to aspire to be an excellent teacher requires creativity, imagination, inspiration and a classroom (canvas). Admin necessarily has a more scientific view of the nuts and bolts. Would you rather create great art or manage a gallery? You’re the artist!