I have always felt that I wanted to be a leader. From a young age, I had a competitive drive and felt I wanted to be at the top of my field...whatever that was to be. From Student Council President to Head Coach for various teams, I thought I was well on my way.
I also wanted to teach from a very young age. I come from a long line of teachers and felt as a young person, that it was my destiny. It wasn't until one of my first major "failures" (in university) that I began to really question my future.
The first time I applied to the Faculty of Education at The University of Lethbridge, a well know program for Education, I was not admitted as my grades were not high enough in my major. This was the first real failure I had ever encountered. I had always been a good student, had made the teams I had tried out for, had participated in student government and had been working with children every summer as well as coaching 9 months of the year. I felt I was exactly what Education needed.
I decided then that if Education didn't want me, that was it's loss. I was moving on. With a Political Science focus, Law and Government became my goal. As I prepared for my LSAT exams, I was encouraged to apply for a job as an Educational Assistant at my former elementary school. I got the job working with a young FAS student and realized that Education was still my calling and set out to make it my future.
My early positions were all in secondary schools and I felt that High School, with all my coaching and past experience, was my best fit. I was discouraged when I did not get the job I wanted, teaching High School, but was rather placed in an elementary school with a fine arts focus. The many years of dance training I had would become useful as I was to start a new dance program at the school. I loved this position, and still do!
A couple years into this position, I felt it was time to further my education and begin on the path to administration. I felt that I possessed qualities and skills that leaders should have, I had participated in projects with our local PD Consortia and at the district level, and this was a natural progression. I prepared my application to the Masters program in Educational Leadership. The week my application was due, I found out so was I. My son was to born the week the Masters program was to begin. I decided it wasn't meant to be. I loved being a classroom teacher, and that would be where I would stay.
My oldest son is now 4 and my youngest will be 3 this November and I find myself looking for a challenge again. I am working hard to implement engaging initiatives like Genius Hour in my classroom, participating in a Peer Mentorship program at the district level and will be the new Political Engagement Officer for our local association.
I thought I had given up on the idea of school administration until our district, which usually has very little turnover, posted six admin positions this past spring. Although I knew I wasn't fully qualified without my Masters, I put my name forth just to see. I was not given an interview but was lucky enough to be granted a meeting with our Superintendent to review my qualities and resume. Thankfully, the tone of the meeting was open and honest. I was presented with my strengths as well as the areas I need to work. I appreciated this information. I have not decided, though, if I want to change all my weaknesses to mold me into administration material.
So where do I go from here? I'm hoping that from the opportunity presented in the School Admin Mentorship Program, I will connect with others to determine my best fit. If nothing else, the learning will enhance my classroom practice and connect me with others who will only make me better.
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