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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
  
| Educators and anyone else, I am at a crossroads.
It has been a while since I have posted a thread, and there was a time where I unplugged for a bit.
But I am at a point where I need some input and perspective from others….I am at a crossroads in my teaching career.
I currently teach STEM (The integration of science, technology, engineering and math), and have been at a school ranked in the top three in my area. I have loved my job! In the past five years I have received two grants to bring robotics into the classroom, and was nationally recognized from Samsung for a project I did with my 8th grade students. Out of 3,100 projects I was selected as one of the top five in the state of Kentucky.
My dilemma arises from the fact that I seek career growth. I currently teach a subject where I am allowed to do whatever I want. I want to be in a leadership positions whether I teach at a university, become a curriculum coach, or even an administrator. Since I am in a class that is more like the “gym” of science I feel like I am lacking in the skills to be a true leader in any of these positions. I feel as if I would not be taken seriously in any of the above positions because I would not have the insight, experience, and perspective that comes from someone who is a content teacher with more accountability.
So as a result, I asked my principal to move me to content….twice. The answer was NO you are gifted when it comes to teaching STEM, you will never move. So….when another school made contact with me about applying for a science position they had open I did….(this came about Thursday of last week). Today I had my interview with the other school. I had told my administrator Monday about this….and she said “I hate to see you go, and I hope this makes you happy.” There was no fight….so that provided clarity to me.
THEN, my assistant principal found out I was seeking another job. He tracked me down and said….you went to the principal but you never came to me. He said….my question to you is…What can I do for you to stay? He is willing to do whatever it takes, move other teachers, put me in leadership positions, give me a chance to shadow the counselors, him, etc. He is pretty much BEGGING me not to leave and says that I am at the place I am supposed to be.
So the benefits of staying are:
I am tenured, and my AP is willing to move me to content
I have good relationships with students and parents in the community
Downside to staying:
My district is small, and the content teachers work alone
We do not have curriculum coaches who help us with instruction
We are expected to plan and find resources on our own
If I go to the other school, which is double the size of my district I will have more collaboration and resources available, and will be teaching content.
The downside is I will be a first year teacher to this district, so that means no tenure, and I have to establish new relationships.
I am so afraid of making the wrong choice!
I don’t want to look back and say why didn’t I leave? But I also don’t want to say why did I go? Especially when my assistant principal is fighting so hard for me to stay.
I just wish my principal was as well…..
Thoughts? Perspective? |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
 
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Pray about it. |
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 Ima Fickle Fan
Posts: 3547
Location: Texas | Not sure where you are located, but I am finishing up my doctorate from Tarleton State University in Educational Leadership. The program is designed for working individuals, so classes are evenings and Saturdays. If you're anywhere near Stephenville, I would look into it. If not, you may find a similar program near you.
Basically, from what you outlined, you'll need your doctorate for some of your career goals--especially if you want to move up in education or work in higher ed. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 823
Location: East Texas | If you want to do something different, go for it. I have been a teacher/coach for 20 years. I have had my master's and adm certification for several years, but I love to coach so I am staying in the classroom and on the field. Do what makes you happy. Don't worry about all the other stuff. If you will be happier staying, stay. If not, hit the door and never look back. |
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I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
Location: North Dakota | Become a University Professor! As you teach go back to school and get a higher degree that will allow you to teach higher education! You can do it! People like you who put so much into your subject area and want to move up should be teaching on a higher level! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 794
| You said you wanted to be a curriculum coach and the AP will do anything to keep you. Now is your chance tell him you want to be the CC.
If you are not wanting to stay at your current school ask the new school prior to signing a contract if they will honor all or part of your tenure. You need to remember all school systems are not alike just because the school is larger does not mean you will have more resources. Apparently you are a pretty good resource yourself and can get the support where ever you are. Good luck |
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10D Crack Champion
| I don't know your actual situation, but I would think as a STEM teacher you would be perfect for coaching other teachers on how to intergrate STEM into every area in which they teach no matter the subject. Your leadership would be in the way of offering workshops for other teachers, taking time to go into classrooms to guide teachers, writing grants for everyone in the district to integrate STEM, establish an enrichment hour per day where different classes rotate into your room to work with you......... teacher included. Maybe furthering your education in an area of interest would be something to do as well.
I don't know how teaching one content area will establish you in any more of a leadership role than the one you currently could create all on your own or with the support of the administration.
Good luck in whatever you decide. Do what makes you happy!
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 The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | As an experienced high school Science teacher, I can definitely relate to your dilemma. I have a couple questions:
How can the AP overrule the Principal? This simply does not/will not happen in our district. I am surprised by this.
If the AP can overrule the Principal, will the Principal hold any resentment towards you since he did not really want to move you?
It's a hard call to make. It sounds like your current school has treated you very well, and you have excelled. That makes me lean toward staying where you are. You know the routine, they respect you, and they will leave you alone. So, if you don't have any problems there, I wouldn't suggest leaving. As you know, when we accept a new job, we cannot truly know what a new admin will be like until we are actually teaching there and living under their wrath! lol It's risky.
If it were me, I'd stay, as long as I first had a meeting with BOTH the AP and the Principal to be sure everyone was on board and was ok with the whole situation.
On a side note, I have seen football coaches make excellent Principals, so I am not entirely sure your feelings of inadequacy and inexperience would hold you back in an administrative role coming from the STEM side of teaching.
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | I do not have any advice for you, but I wanted to say what an awesome opportunity you are in right now. I know you are in the "thinking" stage but what a blessing to have those options. Good for you!!! You should be very proud!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1074
| In my district, the Principal makes the final decision not the Assistant Principal. The AP may promise you the moon, but can he really follow through with his promises. You will fight a major battle at your current district if you don't move. Restructuring the district will be very hard. More districts in our area, mine included, are moving to Instructional Coaches, but it is a slow process and you are swimming upstream. Those changes must come from the top down. Good luck in your decision and career. Pray about it. |
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 Expert
Posts: 5293
| I am a veteran High School teacher of 18 years. At our school we have 5 principals. One Head principal, and 4 AP's. THe AP in charge of counseling/Scheduling does ALL of the master schedule. So for us, the AP in fact can give you what you want. |
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IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| Thank you all for the input. I have decided to stay, and I am happy and excited.
Yes, the AP can overrule the P in my district. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | As you have decided to stay and are eager to learn about expanding your horizons both in terms of leadership and content management, I would also see if I could find an online degree for a masters or ph.d. in education. Once you have pursued your current path as far as it may go, you will probably need the higher degree to continue your progress. You could work on this part time and online. I currently teach at the college level, though not in the STEM areas, and have helped a couple people transition from high school to college teaching. Some find it very rewarding. You certainly can go farther with college level teaching but it is a different culture. Please feel free to PM questions if you were looking towards progressing towards higher education instead of just secondary. |
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IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| I graduate in December with my masters in teacher leadership.
Now I just want some experiences with administration, and counseling to help me determine what extended degree I should get from there. Not sure about going for my doctorate which I have thought about, or my rank 1 in administration or counseling. I appreciate all the feedback. I am feeling great about my decision and feeling pretty loved by my school. :-) |
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