Those who can't...
One major obstacle in a teacher's life is administration. Most would probably say that state tests, lack of resources, or the community they are a part of are the biggest obstacles. But in reality it's the administration and their plans.
Administrators, let's just be upfront---principals mostly, feel that just because they have the position that their plans are the only ones that are viable. They feel that others have no opinion that really matters. None of this is to say that principals are not deserving of respect or that just because you don't agree with those plans that you should not listen to them. But, as I learned from Star Trek (ha-ha but true), this is the greatest set of tips for a leader I have ever heard, Learn from Jean-Luc. Number 7 on the list is big. Listen to suggestions.
Picard always heard from his leaders and then made rational decisions, not flying off the handle making rash decisions. Just because he was captain did not mean that he always had the best ideas, and he knew that. His final decision was always followed and that's what teachers have to do. But administrators who have egos always feel that if someone gives them advice that they are being usurped. No, listen to suggestions. Don't think that just because you have that position that you are the smartest person in the room.
Here is why you are not the smartest person in the room. Although on average the principal probably has more schooling (only due to having to earn a different license), that piece of paper does not make you smarter. It teaches you leadership. It teaches you how to plan. It teaches you how to evaluate teachers. But what it does not do is teach you how to make the classroom better.
Most teachers, once established and if they can take all that is thrown at them, remain teaching for 30-35 years, and most of them remain in the classroom. Administrators' "life expectancy" as principal is only 3-5 years Principal turnover rate. Those who follow the steps of Picard remain in that position for a longer time. Those who do not are usually replaced. Sometimes it is due to principals moving to even higher positions within the district such as Teacher Personnel, Instructional Specialists, or even worse--Superintendent. Less than 10% ever return to teaching.
The worse part is the amount of actual teaching experience of principals. Teaching experience. "Many K-12 principals were classroom teachers prior to taking administrative positions. In 2007-2008, the average years of prior K-12 teaching experience for public school principals (excluding assistant principals) was 12.7 years, while for private school principals the average was 10.2 years. These averages include those who did not teach prior to taking administrative positions." Notice the one line---does not include assistant principals. So, let's make the math easier, let's say 10 years of experience...ON AVERAGE! And notice that it says some go straight into administration. That means 50% of principals really never taught in the classroom. They do not know what works, especially if you are younger than 30 and/or haven't been in the classroom in the last 5-10 years.
Administrators, let's just be upfront---principals mostly, feel that just because they have the position that their plans are the only ones that are viable. They feel that others have no opinion that really matters. None of this is to say that principals are not deserving of respect or that just because you don't agree with those plans that you should not listen to them. But, as I learned from Star Trek (ha-ha but true), this is the greatest set of tips for a leader I have ever heard, Learn from Jean-Luc. Number 7 on the list is big. Listen to suggestions.
Picard always heard from his leaders and then made rational decisions, not flying off the handle making rash decisions. Just because he was captain did not mean that he always had the best ideas, and he knew that. His final decision was always followed and that's what teachers have to do. But administrators who have egos always feel that if someone gives them advice that they are being usurped. No, listen to suggestions. Don't think that just because you have that position that you are the smartest person in the room.
Here is why you are not the smartest person in the room. Although on average the principal probably has more schooling (only due to having to earn a different license), that piece of paper does not make you smarter. It teaches you leadership. It teaches you how to plan. It teaches you how to evaluate teachers. But what it does not do is teach you how to make the classroom better.
Most teachers, once established and if they can take all that is thrown at them, remain teaching for 30-35 years, and most of them remain in the classroom. Administrators' "life expectancy" as principal is only 3-5 years Principal turnover rate. Those who follow the steps of Picard remain in that position for a longer time. Those who do not are usually replaced. Sometimes it is due to principals moving to even higher positions within the district such as Teacher Personnel, Instructional Specialists, or even worse--Superintendent. Less than 10% ever return to teaching.
The worse part is the amount of actual teaching experience of principals. Teaching experience. "Many K-12 principals were classroom teachers prior to taking administrative positions. In 2007-2008, the average years of prior K-12 teaching experience for public school principals (excluding assistant principals) was 12.7 years, while for private school principals the average was 10.2 years. These averages include those who did not teach prior to taking administrative positions." Notice the one line---does not include assistant principals. So, let's make the math easier, let's say 10 years of experience...ON AVERAGE! And notice that it says some go straight into administration. That means 50% of principals really never taught in the classroom. They do not know what works, especially if you are younger than 30 and/or haven't been in the classroom in the last 5-10 years.
The question is why do these people want to become a principal. From my knowledge of people and from pure speculation and observation, it is ego or they don't want to teach anymore but want to remain part of the education field.
In other words: Those who can, can. Those who can't, teach. But those who can't teach...become administrators.
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