Is your job really at risk?
Traditionally the education profession has survived poor economies and high unemployment rates far better than most markets. In fact public educators and public health professionals are neck and neck, in the race for the most secure job title. We have recently been bombarded with articles on how not to get fired. I have read many of these and have yet to find one that takes a more proactive approach. Likewise, I have yet to find one geared toward one of the most secure job fields, education. These times are forcing schools to tighten up not only the belt, but the practice of education in general. Many cut backs resulting in job losses are a result of “ear tagged” funding, but there are plenty of opportunities for principals to offer suggestions with regards to reducing their local budget. You can bet that educational leaders are using this as an opportunity to trim the fat from “pet peeve” projects and rid themselves of those extra few teachers around the mid-section. So, is your job at risk? You should know if you are the extra weight that a school is carrying or not. If you are feeling the belt tighten around you, I suggest you go on a professional diet.
Qualifications for Being a Teacher: Cutting back on personnel carbs:
As teachers we are expected to fit nicely into the grand design of the machine. Even when considering this paradigm teachers are still very much left to their own devices. Whether teachers being left to their own devices is a good or bad thing is a topic for future discussion, but it does set teachers up for the proverbial shot in the foot if they’re not careful. What exactly is a personnel carb? Think of them as man hours or woman hours as the case may be. Are you consuming more than your share of work hours during the average work week? If you are asking personnel from other departments, administrators, secretaries, librarians or instructional coaches for their time and effort to help you do your job, more than thirty minutes a week you need to cut back. An exception can be made for the rookie teacher, but even so a rookie should look for a peer mentor verses demanding time and energy from other departments and administrators. Below are a few of examples of misuse of personnel hours: Have you been relying on the school secretary or clerk to communicate with Human Resources on your behalf? Should you be taking care of things like this yourself? Do you ask the librarian to find resources for your class? Are you constantly asking for technological help? Is it time for you to take a course on spread sheets?
Qualifications for Being a teacher: Beefing up your teaching game:
When the time comes for principals to trim the fat, you want your teaching to be the lean, mean fighting machine on campus. Don’t get caught showing useless videos in this insecure job market. You need to employ every “best teaching practice” you can. Your students should be engaged. Ask for their feedback. Don’t dismiss their lack of maturity for invalid feedback. Regardless of classroom reality, students have a perceived reality and trust me they don’t mind sharing it with others. It is best you get their perceptions first. Display some empathy for student concerns and adjust your style where appropriate. Are your lessons full of substance? Here is the litmus test for substance. If you cover everything you have planned for that day then it is time to bulk it up a bit. Speaking of planning, make certain that you are not only planning, but planning well. Good planning does two very valuable things for you when it comes to job security. First, it signifies to your administrators that you care enough to put in the extra time and effort. Second, it helps you manage stress better. A relaxed, efficient teacher is a symbol of “fitness” in the education world. One of the best ways to improve your own teaching is to invite a fellow teacher for a peer review of your lesson. Have them focus on a couple of weaknesses and sit down for feedback as soon as possible after the lesson. If you get quality feedback and make efforts to improve, this practice will really give your teaching that extra something special.
Qualifications for Being a Teacher: Keep up the cardio:
While beefing up your game and lifting the heavy weight of self reflection, it is important not to let your professional fitness drop-off. Make sure you stay on top of paper work, answer emails / phone calls in a timely manner, attend all meetings, do your teacher duties and keeping up appearances at the appropriate number of afterschool activities. Don’t be afraid to polish your teacher’s apple. Proudly display your students’ accomplishments. Always give the students credit; trust me, everyone will know you are doing a fine job when they succeed, and it won’t sound as if you’re bragging.
