Professional Growth is a Good Thing...Unless You are in Education
Ominous title? It is. But it's something that has been on my mind lately.
I've spent my entire career in education in the Chicago Public School system. I spent the first 15 years as a fourth grade teacher and the next 10 as an instructional technology coach. I've achieved and grown tremendously during that time. When I began in the classroom it was tough- here I was fresh out of school dealing with a challenging population in the inner city. As is normal for any teacher there were great days and not-so-great days. Early on I knew if I was going to stay in that learning space I needed to find ways to not only challenge myself but to engage my students as well. I attended graduate school early in my career because the experience came along at the right time. I wrote multiple grants to purchase materials that would interest my students (and me). I did action research on my practice. I gained National Board certification. I learned as much as I could about my craft.
When the opportunity presented itself for me to come out of the classroom it was a difficult yet extremely exciting time! I left willingly (a bit nervous) and had always worked toward moving onward and upward but the transition still was an adjustment (even though I was in the same building I taught in). I enjoyed shifting my focus from teaching kids to teaching adults, and even began a second masters in instructional technology that led to several jobs teaching part time in higher education. Not too many years after this CPS shuttered our school. I stayed one year with the "Welcoming School" (quotation marks meant both literally and sarcastically) then left for the rich side of town. There I continued to serve as a technology integration specialist (among other responsibilities), all the while continuing to learn more, earn more certifications (and some awards) and to grow my capacity as a coach.
This past spring I was notified that my role was changing- unexpected, and a disappointment to me but you know, "budget" woes and I was expensive for not being in front of kids full time. The new role was in the opposite direction of where I was headed professionally. For me, it was a step backwards. So I began the search for a new job. I've always kept my curriculum vitae up to date so I was ready to go! The excitement loomed. Would I find something within Chicago Public Schools at the district level? Should I stay in the city and take a role as a computer lab teacher? (Chicago is years behind in its thinking about ed tech and coaching so there really aren't many true coaching jobs there). Should I do something crazy and leave the city after all this time? If so, for what; a lateral move as a coach? A director position? So many choices with all of my experience!...then... reality.
As I began my quest there were opportunities presented to me but none that seemed the right fit. I applied for two director positions but even as great as my resume is I don't have district-level experience. So I made the decision to also consider a lateral move as a coach. Ha. The city was out- no coaching there. I had interest from a couple of suburban districts- until they calculated my experience, degrees and current pay. I was told by one district that I had a strong relationship with that I was too expensive (their union even had a stipulation in their contract saying no one could be hired at a wage that was above a current employee in the same role). Another very polite district told me they couldn't even come close (so don't bother) and wished they had a director's role for me (but they didn't).
Here I was- under the impression that it was a good thing to receive higher education degrees. That it was a good thing to continue to grow and gain new certifications. That it was a good thing to be loyal to a district. The reality was I advanced myself right out of a job. Isn't that sad?! Is this how the rest of the world works? I only know the "education world". Should we be discouraging our colleagues and young teachers from seeking out new knowledge lest it hurt them? Should we tell them to stay current in their practice but don't advance too much? This has been on my mind lately and I'm not sure what the answer is except to say it makes me sad. I love my path and everything that came with it. But I shouldn't be punished for it.
I've spent my entire career in education in the Chicago Public School system. I spent the first 15 years as a fourth grade teacher and the next 10 as an instructional technology coach. I've achieved and grown tremendously during that time. When I began in the classroom it was tough- here I was fresh out of school dealing with a challenging population in the inner city. As is normal for any teacher there were great days and not-so-great days. Early on I knew if I was going to stay in that learning space I needed to find ways to not only challenge myself but to engage my students as well. I attended graduate school early in my career because the experience came along at the right time. I wrote multiple grants to purchase materials that would interest my students (and me). I did action research on my practice. I gained National Board certification. I learned as much as I could about my craft.
When the opportunity presented itself for me to come out of the classroom it was a difficult yet extremely exciting time! I left willingly (a bit nervous) and had always worked toward moving onward and upward but the transition still was an adjustment (even though I was in the same building I taught in). I enjoyed shifting my focus from teaching kids to teaching adults, and even began a second masters in instructional technology that led to several jobs teaching part time in higher education. Not too many years after this CPS shuttered our school. I stayed one year with the "Welcoming School" (quotation marks meant both literally and sarcastically) then left for the rich side of town. There I continued to serve as a technology integration specialist (among other responsibilities), all the while continuing to learn more, earn more certifications (and some awards) and to grow my capacity as a coach.
This past spring I was notified that my role was changing- unexpected, and a disappointment to me but you know, "budget" woes and I was expensive for not being in front of kids full time. The new role was in the opposite direction of where I was headed professionally. For me, it was a step backwards. So I began the search for a new job. I've always kept my curriculum vitae up to date so I was ready to go! The excitement loomed. Would I find something within Chicago Public Schools at the district level? Should I stay in the city and take a role as a computer lab teacher? (Chicago is years behind in its thinking about ed tech and coaching so there really aren't many true coaching jobs there). Should I do something crazy and leave the city after all this time? If so, for what; a lateral move as a coach? A director position? So many choices with all of my experience!...then... reality.
As I began my quest there were opportunities presented to me but none that seemed the right fit. I applied for two director positions but even as great as my resume is I don't have district-level experience. So I made the decision to also consider a lateral move as a coach. Ha. The city was out- no coaching there. I had interest from a couple of suburban districts- until they calculated my experience, degrees and current pay. I was told by one district that I had a strong relationship with that I was too expensive (their union even had a stipulation in their contract saying no one could be hired at a wage that was above a current employee in the same role). Another very polite district told me they couldn't even come close (so don't bother) and wished they had a director's role for me (but they didn't).
Here I was- under the impression that it was a good thing to receive higher education degrees. That it was a good thing to continue to grow and gain new certifications. That it was a good thing to be loyal to a district. The reality was I advanced myself right out of a job. Isn't that sad?! Is this how the rest of the world works? I only know the "education world". Should we be discouraging our colleagues and young teachers from seeking out new knowledge lest it hurt them? Should we tell them to stay current in their practice but don't advance too much? This has been on my mind lately and I'm not sure what the answer is except to say it makes me sad. I love my path and everything that came with it. But I shouldn't be punished for it.
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