Fear of the Unknown
Sadly, yesterday it was announced that the Assistant Principal at my school is being transferred. Some people may think I wish that could happen to me. However, this idea terrifies me. Perhaps my fear will prove to be unjustified, and for that, I can only hope and institute some hard-core wishful thinking. The source of my deep anxiousness in this administrative change is the fact that my current AP has been INCREDIBLY supportive of my use of technology in my classroom. She sees the value in the projects I do with my students, doesn’t question my new ideas, and puts faith into the processes my students go through to create and communicate.
It’s scary to have someone new come in, who will most likely be my immediate supervisor, that may or may not support all that I have developed since I started teaching. The question is, how to approach her. Do I quietly continue doing what I have always done and assume I do not need permission to continue? Do I introduce myself and present her with a smörgåsbord of projects my students have created? Oh how I struggle with the unknown!
June 27th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Hi Angela,
First of all, many thanks for your advice on how to keep it simple as I’m starting out on the blogging scene. It’s so hard! The more I read, the more I want to figure out how to put snazzy touches into it and the hours fly by! And I’ve not put anything snazzy into it, either! Figuring it all out is going to take me much time.
However, I am in an online class to help myself figure it all out and that should give me some more answers in the next weeks.
On the other topic that you have here…I’ve been through precisely what you’re experiencing! Last year my school got a new AP. It has not been as productive for those of us who advocate learning through projects, especially those incorporating technology into anything. We’re seen as hogging the technology or teaching in a chaotic way. She doesn’t get it at all. However, the principal is keeping things under control. I have a great fear for the day he retires which may be next year! So far, those of us who have project-oriented teaching styles and use technology have kept out distance with the idea that asking forgiveness is an easier way to operate than to tackle this new AP head-on. The school I work out is full of veteran teachers who feel very confident in what we’re doing and the way we’re doing it. Also, many teachers in my school have already been through so many APs that they know who’s really running the school–the teachers!
Good luck with that whole AP situation. And remember, you never know…you could get an AP that IS totally supportive of you. But, if I were you, I’d keep on doing what you’re doing and not worry what anybody else says. I mean, when it gets right down to it, do you feel confident that you are making the best learning situation for your kids? One look at the Paul Bunyan project and I can tell you that you are. You hang in there no matter what any AP says to you.
And thanks again for your advice! I am definitely going to follow it as I get this thing up and rolling. I’ve not been this excited about incorporating something into my projects before!! Blogging is just too much fun!
–Lisa
June 27th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Lisa,
Thanks so much for the encouragement! I am trying so hard to keep up the positive thinking, and have been advised from others to keep with the idea that it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. We are also lucky to have a staff that really stands up for one another and watches out for each other.
Our new AP is scheduled to start August 1st, after I go on my final break for the year, but hopefully I will be able to come back after the year has started and make a post about how wonderful she is? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
- Angela