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There are a lot of people voicing their opinions about public school teachers these days. Many are offering their support, which is much appreciated.
That said, while it’s tempting to tell a frustrated teacher you know that they should consider going into educational administration because they’ll “have a bigger impact that way”, keep in mind that that work requires a really different skill set some of us don’t really have.
Would you tell an exasperated nurse or physician to go into hospital administration? Probably not. I understand that the intention behind folks’ advice is pure, but the impact can feel a little invalidating, and nobody wants or needs that.
Most teachers I know see teaching as a calling, a vocation. I have a hard time imagining myself doing anything else. I love being able to get kids excited about learning about language & culture & help contribute to their positive academic and social development & awareness.
I get to use my esoteric college major every day while striving to create an affirming, positive, and safe learning environment for all members of my classroom community. Most of my colleagues share the same desires and commitments to education & social justice.
We are a pretty passionate group of people, and we care tremendously about the well-being of our students.
We also know a lot of the things that would improve our schools, but we are often ignored by administrators, and that can create a chasm of mistrust and even bitterness that makes a switch to a leadership role feel like a leap over to the dark side.
Most of us don’t see administrative positions as a “move up” in the way one might in a corporate hierarchy. We chose to become teachers because teaching is what we love to do. Administrative roles are not more prestigious because most of us aren’t in this profession for prestige.
