As tempting as it is for teachers to tell themselves that the only thing that matters is what they do in the classroom, it’s just not true. A happy and comfortable teaching career includes the ability for a teacher to reasonably exercise options like making grade or subject level changes, obtaining campus transfers or employment in other districts, or advancing to leadership or administrative positions. In tough economic times, teachers also need to be valued enough that they escape the lay-off axe. And occasionally, it’s nice to be in a position to receive consideration for honors and awards.
These career benefits can be boiled down to two necessary factors:
Do a good job at your job; and
Make sure that people know you have done a good job.
It’s like the old question “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?” If we rework the question to ask “If a teacher does a good deed and no one knows about it, will it be considered when the Teacher of the Year is being awarded ?”- the answer is a resounding “No!” whether anyone is there to hear it or not.
The Tuesday Tasks feature is designed to help you further your career, or merely safeguard it, by offering simple things you can do a regular basis that will increase both your value to and visibility in the school. Enhancing your reputation as a “good” teacher and a “team player” can bring all sorts of benefits down the line. And as a teacher, one of the most valuable assets you have is your reputation. A good reputation can insulate you from false charges of inappropriate conduct by students, parents, and even other educators.
Today’s Tuesday Task is to follow up on the tip you gave or received last week. Las week I suggested that veteran teachers pick a relatively new teacher and offer a tip or a lesson plan idea that you think will help her/him out; and that newer teachers approach an experienced teacher who has a good reputation and ask her/him for a tip on some area that you are struggling with. Today, write a thank you note to the teacher you approached and copy it to the campus principal.
Ex: “Dear Ms. _____, I just wanted to thank you for offering me the tip on______________. I tried it and ________ [happened] OR I plan to try it out as soon as ____________________. I really appreciate your help. “
OR
Ex: “Dear Ms. ____________, I just wanted to follow up on the conversation we had last week and see if you found my suggestions helpful? I noticed that [something positive related to the tip you gave] OR I’d be happy to brainstorm with you about this if you are still looking for ideas.”
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