Comments on: Saturday morning randomness http://lynnjake.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/saturday-morning-randomness/ Finding balance in and out of the classroom. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:05:23 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Bonnie http://lynnjake.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/saturday-morning-randomness/#comment-19 Bonnie Sun, 18 May 2008 09:35:40 +0000 http://lynnjake.wordpress.com/?p=48#comment-19 Sounds like you are able to combine the passion you have in the classroom Lynn, with that more global consideration for the larger sense of programing that will support student learning beyond one classroom. Sounds exciting. I wonder how your work with the NWP informs your sense of educational reform? I remember that when I was still teaching and facilitating our SI, the ideas from our workshops would explode in my brain and I couldn't wait to get back into my classroom to incorporate them. As an administrator, wow, even more opportunities. Bonnie Sounds like you are able to combine the passion you have in the classroom Lynn, with that more global consideration for the larger sense of programing that will support student learning beyond one classroom. Sounds exciting. I wonder how your work with the NWP informs your sense of educational reform?
I remember that when I was still teaching and facilitating our SI, the ideas from our workshops would explode in my brain and I couldn’t wait to get back into my classroom to incorporate them. As an administrator, wow, even more opportunities.
Bonnie

]]> By: lynnjake http://lynnjake.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/saturday-morning-randomness/#comment-12 lynnjake Sat, 17 May 2008 14:43:50 +0000 http://lynnjake.wordpress.com/?p=48#comment-12 Good question, Bonnie. I initially left the classroom for two reasons. First, we had a new superintendent who I respected a great deal. I felt she was building her team and if she wanted me to be a part of it, I wanted to be there. I thought maybe I could be part of making some exciting changes in the district. The second reason was in the interest of getting my salary up to benefit my retirement, as I began teaching later in life. In some ways it broke my heart to leave the classroom, yet there was also a glimmer of light, the hope that I could help do something that would benefit lots of kids. For the first year, I felt I was headed in that direction, even though I was not permitted to do anything that had to do with English Learners. That was painful because they are who my teaching was dedicated to. But I had been asked to develop and support a district AVID program, and I was excited to be given that opportunity. This year I was given a different task which took an inordinate amount of time and gave little satisfaction. I had minimal time to work with AVID schools, and my only opportunities to work with English Learners were quickly rescinded, accompanied with some sort of reprimand. Over the course of time I felt increasingly unnecessary and unnoticed. Finally I was told that my job had been reduced to 40%. Now I've decided to try out middle school. I have never taught that level and am interested in doing so. On the other hand, now that I've begun, I think I would like to try site-based administration. I am currently designing the ELD program for the school I am going to, and have made placement recommendations for the 250 English Learners who will be enrolled there. Not exactly classroom based activities, but still. I know this doesn't exactly answer your question, Bonnie, but it skirts it as well as I can. I am of mixed feelings. I look forward to being with kids again, and know I will love it. But I have an administrative perspective now that doesn't let me just close my door and only deal with my own stuff. So I don't know how it will be! Good question, Bonnie. I initially left the classroom for two reasons. First, we had a new superintendent who I respected a great deal. I felt she was building her team and if she wanted me to be a part of it, I wanted to be there. I thought maybe I could be part of making some exciting changes in the district. The second reason was in the interest of getting my salary up to benefit my retirement, as I began teaching later in life. In some ways it broke my heart to leave the classroom, yet there was also a glimmer of light, the hope that I could help do something that would benefit lots of kids. For the first year, I felt I was headed in that direction, even though I was not permitted to do anything that had to do with English Learners. That was painful because they are who my teaching was dedicated to. But I had been asked to develop and support a district AVID program, and I was excited to be given that opportunity. This year I was given a different task which took an inordinate amount of time and gave little satisfaction. I had minimal time to work with AVID schools, and my only opportunities to work with English Learners were quickly rescinded, accompanied with some sort of reprimand. Over the course of time I felt increasingly unnecessary and unnoticed. Finally I was told that my job had been reduced to 40%. Now I’ve decided to try out middle school. I have never taught that level and am interested in doing so. On the other hand, now that I’ve begun, I think I would like to try site-based administration. I am currently designing the ELD program for the school I am going to, and have made placement recommendations for the 250 English Learners who will be enrolled there. Not exactly classroom based activities, but still.
I know this doesn’t exactly answer your question, Bonnie, but it skirts it as well as I can. I am of mixed feelings. I look forward to being with kids again, and know I will love it. But I have an administrative perspective now that doesn’t let me just close my door and only deal with my own stuff. So I don’t know how it will be!

]]> By: Bonnie http://lynnjake.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/saturday-morning-randomness/#comment-11 Bonnie Sat, 17 May 2008 14:19:11 +0000 http://lynnjake.wordpress.com/?p=48#comment-11 This post is filled with lots of "meat", Lynn. Lots to think about. My nieces' college graduation last week was also a surprise for me just to watch her small school of musicians rise up in Princeton Chapel. I wonder how she will use her degree. And then your move out of the classroom into administration. I tired that course as well and was happy to be back in the classroom although I didn't move out for very long just to complete the administration degree. Just the internship was enough to get me right back with kids. I think that kids are more exciting than anything else, except maybe now working with teachers and the HVWP/NWP. It was great to follow you and then take myself along. How are you feeling about your return to the classroom with your administrator's perspective now? Bonnie This post is filled with lots of “meat”, Lynn. Lots to think about.

My nieces’ college graduation last week was also a surprise for me just to watch her small school of musicians rise up in Princeton Chapel. I wonder how she will use her degree.

And then your move out of the classroom into administration. I tired that course as well and was happy to be back in the classroom although I didn’t move out for very long just to complete the administration degree. Just the internship was enough to get me right back with kids.

I think that kids are more exciting than anything else, except maybe now working with teachers and the HVWP/NWP.

It was great to follow you and then take myself along.
How are you feeling about your return to the classroom with your administrator’s perspective now?
Bonnie

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