Nov 04 2008
Discouraged Leadership
There is still no teacher for the new high school classroom. I am discouraged. To admit this is both disappointing and disheartening. One candidate, a hopeful, may get an interview with head office, if this applicant cuts muster, the class will finally get a teacher. The end of the first quarter is this week. Report cards need to be completed for students registered in this class - they cannot unless the students have a home room teacher, a web based computer program over-ride. We do our report cards electronically………This Thursday, November 6, we have a CSE meeting, 30 day program review for a student in this new class, explaining why there is no teacher will be tricky.
What are other school districts experiencing in terms of teacher candidate pools? Is this a regional problem as in Western New York or is this a national problem? The issue here cannot be one of wages because our school rates are most competetive.
For potential school leaders what glitches do you view in the above scenario? Focus on the fact that for almost a month now, we have had 6 registered students in a classroom with no appointed qualified teacher. This is a leadership lesson for both profit and non-profit schools. What can educational leaders do at a school building level? Is the responsiblity of recruitment one for the leader, head office, human resources? Feedback is greatly appreciated.
2 responses so far
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While it is very unfortunate that a teacher has not been hired for this classroom, I just finished reading the entry you posted before this one titled, “Celebration at Hewes.” Even though this class does not have a teacher, they have made so many accomplishments, one being the school newspaper. This class is located across the hall from me and I know how dedicated they were to completing this project. This project was a HUGE undertaking for these students and they completed it with excellent leadership to guide them along.
I think when you are faced with the situation of explaining why there is not a certified teacher you can just focus on everything they are accomplishing in that room. The teachers that have been in there are very dedicated and that is what really matters
I can understand the frustration of being able to find that certified teacher but I echo Jamie’s thoughts.
Yours is a huge undertaking and being able to find that person that jumps through all those “profession hoops” can be very frustrating.
I was pleased to know that at the time of me reading this (late ) that you have hired someone for this position and will offer her a warm welcome!