The role of the "experienced" educator

Science Education advances one funeral at a time. Max Planck Blue Skunk

Old age and treachery always overcomes youth and skill.

Whiz kid.

What the devil happened? Just a year or so ago it seems I was the youngest person on the district administrative team. This year I'm one of the oldest ones. And I'm in serious danger of becoming the person in the organization I most despised when I started.

The "been there, done that, got the shirt, it'll never work" change-resistant old fart.

This year one district initiative aimed at administrators is to clean up one's office, assign more duties one's secretary, and get out into the classrooms and hallways. Not a bad goal, but I shake my head and bite my tongue as I watch the video of a little snarky, tight-assed consultant dictate the specific number of paper clips that must be any office conference table and that all personal items be removed from offices (just in case time would be "wasted" talking about something personal).

I am left with questions about whether a good administrator is really a "teaching coach" (when so many have been out of the classroom for many years and when peer coaching has been proven effective) or whether that administrator should not feel guilty spending time in the office finding and managing resources, running interference with district office staff and parents, and doing other administrative tasks that lets teachers teach.

How do we "mature" staff members add value instead of being obstructionists, even if we harbor doubts about new initiatives? Here's what I try to do:

1. Don't bring up past failures, but do relate lessons learned both from failures and successes, especially successes. In some few instances, age does bring wisdom.
2. Find the good in any initiative and support that bit. (I DO like clean offices, effective secretaries, and getting out into buildings - I can get behind that.)
3. Keep your mouth shut, stay out of things, and realize everyone needs a change to succeed, fail and learn. Will Rogers once said, "There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves." Everyone is entitled to peeing on the electric fence.
4. Recognize that today's challenges, values and goals might not be same as they were 10, 20 or 30 years ago. Today's leaders face problems and work under constraints that you may not have had in the prime of your strife.
5. Remember good ideas can come from other people - even those who are your children's age. Try to get a complete picture before making a judgement (not the case above). Tease, but tease gently and with affection for the person.

At the rate my retirement savings is going (more down than up), it looks like I will have quite a few more years to practice what I preach. I'll be the geezer in the room for a few more years. I hope.

Image source: http://www.shirtheads.com/

Comments

[Gwen Martin]

I need the shirt. I AM the oldest on staff this year. Alice left at 72 to look for a new teaching position. Gads. I am going to try your suggestions. Might I had a good shot of Jack Daniels would make meetings go smoother as well. Although I might have a harder time keeping my mouth shut then. ;)

[Doug Johnson]

HI Gwen,

I usually need the shot AFTER the meetings. Good luck with your new school year. Hope I still have the energy at 72 to want to work.

Doug

[Kate W]

"I am left with questions about whether a good administrator is really a "teaching coach" (when so many have been out of the classroom for many years and when peer coaching has been proven effective) or whether that administrator should not feel guilty spending time in the office finding and managing resources, running interference with district office staff and parents, and doing other administrative tasks that lets teachers teach."

Oh! Oh! Oh! Could you substitute librarians in there for administrators? Why is it that workers who support teachers AND students are made to feel as though any time spent doing any things that the teachers don't do is time spent eating bonbons and kicking back with their feet up?