Like any normal human being I don’t take kindly to being told my job is “useless”. If you’ve read this blog for any amount of time it is apparent, I think, that I love my job and that I struggle with the ridiculous level of difficulty that comes with it. You know that caring for people and just being nice (NICE. That’s it! Just. Being. NICE.) goes a terribly long way when dealing with people with a fair amount of regularity. Budget cuts brought about the reason for this little rant I’m about to go on, but you know that when you call me “useless” in my position that them’s fightin’ words, right?
Right.
So pull on your big boy pants because I’m not taking this lying down.
I’ll tell you just how “useless” my job as an administrator is.
It’s “useless” for me to help my students come up with a 4-year high school plan so that they can achieve their goals of going to college, trade school, the armed services, or straight into the work force.
It’s “useless” when I am determining how much time a student needs to spend with me when they’re having a bad day. Sometimes it’s 5 minutes, sometimes it’s 50. Whichever is the case, I carve out the time they need and I give it to them.
It’s “useless” that I spend time evaluating teachers to ensure they’re using best practices, grading fairly, creating good lesson plans, monitoring formative and summative assessments, providing support for struggling students, and teaching the larger lessons in life that the state standards fail to cover.
It’s “useless” that I translate the “educationese” we use when speaking to families who need to understand how to make sense how their student is progressing in school.
It’s “useless” that I ensure that students’ grades and transcripts correctly reflect what they’ve accomplished.
It’s “useless” that I attend football games, choir concerts, and awards ceremonies that honor the accomplishments of my students.
It’s “useless” when I make referrals to social agencies on behalf of my homeless students or the ones whose families don’t have electricity or the students who need mental health services.
It’s “useless” every time I give my students my personal cell phone number to call me if they are ever in trouble because they’ve not yet learned to make better choices about crime or safe sex or running away from home.
It’s “useless” to spend time cultivating relationships with outside sources who help support what we do in the classroom to make relevant the learning.
It’s “useless” for administrators to get together to meet about the State of the School and create a School Improvement Plan.
It’s “useless” for me to push my students into taking Advanced Placement courses and Dual Credit classes.
It’s “useless” when I mediate between a student and their parent about their achievement or lack thereof.
It’s “useless” for me to take a phone call from an angry parent who wants my head on a platter when their child makes choices that are keeping them from being successful.
It’s “useless” that I spend time pouring over assessment information in order to support interventions for students who aren’t doing well in school and target them for extra assistance.
It’s “useless” for me to visit classrooms to watch the learning process unfold and see students “get it” for the first time.
It’s “useless” when I contact parents after their child has made a decision to flip out at school and then discipline them for their behavior.
It’s “useless” for me to nominate students for scholarships, write passionate letters of recommendation, and facilitate the high school-to-college bridge.
It’s “useless” as an administrator to sit on hiring committees to find the best possible teacher.
As soon as anyone else wants to defend their job and the work they do, I’ll stop defining my “useless” job. As soon as you get off your ass and visit a classroom or create a relationship with a school in order to promote education, I’ll stop being upset about your criticism about what it is that I do.
Until then? Shut the hell up and just go about YOUR job. You don’t know anything about what I do.
July 8, 2009 @ 7:59 am | Filed under Adrenalized, Brain Swamp, Education | Permalink | Comments (34)
KBO Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 8:10 am
Go on, girl.
Daisy Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 8:27 am
“…the ridiculous level of difficulty”
You tell ‘em!! I’m tired of doing more with less and getting bashed for my supposed “laziness” and “incompetence.” Mocha Momma, you rock, and don’t you forget it!!
Steve Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 8:32 am
Keep it up! The lazy asses out here in CA could learn a lot from you. Administrative jobs look easy to others if you are really good at what you do. Most people wouldn’t know whether to shit or go blind if they were dropped into your position. Being responsible for guiding our children and their teachers is a huge responsibility and it sounds like you’ve got it down to a science.
Shash Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 8:37 am
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. You are amazing. You tell ‘em.
Oh, and I love you for your compassion. Those are some of the luckiest students that you have the back of. They may not thank you for it now, but they will.
I promise.
EmmieJ Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 9:25 am
All I can say is I’m enternally grateful that I had a couple of people as “useless” as you to set me straight and keep me there when I was in junior high and high school. I don’t know where I’d be without them. Keep doing what you’re doing.
Lori E Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 9:41 am
I could have used your guidance when I was in high school. Back in the mid 1970’s if you were on welfare they didn’t even suggest doing anything to improve your place in life. You just took the nothing courses and maybe stuck around long enough to graduate (which I didn’t).
University scholarships and bursaries were never even mentioned to “us”.
Thank goodness your students have you whether or not they realize how lucky they are now they will some day.
U-uplifting
S-sensible
E-energetic
L-listener
E-empathetic
S-smart
S-supportive
Angella Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 10:02 am
Preach it, girl. (Have I told you lately that I love you?)
Meg Evans Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 10:05 am
You. Are. Awesome!
Yourhynis Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 11:10 am
damn.
Lara Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 11:23 am
Rock on, Sister Educator!
anji Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 11:32 am
Speakin’ to the choir here, baby!
Mighty Hunter Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
Damn fucking straight. People who don’t know need to find out or shut the fuck up. Good for you for taking this on. You clearly love your job; keep up the good work. *fistbump
Average Jane Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
Sing it!
Mari Ickes Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 3:21 pm
Well put!
Robin Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
You? Are awesome.
I love hearing about educators who have a passion for what they do….clearly you care a great deal for your students.
While I don’t regret the choices I have made education-wise, I really wish I had an educator like you in my high school when I was going through those years – my four years in high school were very rough for me emotionally due to family issues – it would have been nice to have someone like you to watch over kids like us and help us make decisions that in retrospect, I wasn’t ready (or able) to make.
My guidance counselor’s response when it came to helping me decide a college/career path knowing what was going on with me: you’re a smart girl….you’ll figure it out.
BETSY Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
Bra-vo. I think I hear a “Hallelujah” chorus in the background.
Mocha Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
You people are so damn nice. I wish, too, that those of you who needed it had a person who cared specifically for YOU when you needed it. The reason I do this work is that I was in need of it as well. When it wasn’t working out I went to another trusted adult in my high school and got the help I needed.
Guess what “useless” thing I have to do tomorrow? I have to go into work on my vacation and interview someone.
Yeah. I should totally back out of that. Since it’s USELESS and all…
Dana Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
This is the one thing I hate: Teachers and Administrators and everyone who works with our students are SO UNDER APPRECIATED!
If they spent as much energy supporting the people who work with and support these students, instead of criticizing those who do this difficult work, then perhaps the “State of Our Schools” wouldn’t be the issue that it is today.
Here in my town, there’s a feud going on between the school board and the community. The “taxpayers” believe the school board is wasting money and they demand pay cuts and budget cuts, and it’s down right infuriating. The students and teachers and administrators suffer greatly because of these controversies.
Johann Said,
July 9, 2009 @ 7:02 am
[stands and applauds]
I absolutely LOVE reading these kinds of posts from you. It’s been a long while since I’ve seen an educator with as much passion for their job, and their students, as what you possess. As I’ve said here before, I can only hope my kids will be fortunate enough to have you as a teacher/administrator.
I would love to actually meet you some day, shake your hand, and buy you a beer. Or glass of wine. Or cup of coffee. Or mojito. Or whatever happens to be your poison that particular day.
a.eye Said,
July 9, 2009 @ 7:05 am
AMEN. Not sure why someone would say that an administrator (or teacher’s) job was useless. Pass this list on to them, or have them try to live a few days in the life of you. I have thought about moving from teaching to admin, but am not sure I am ready to take on all that you all do.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
JCause Said,
July 9, 2009 @ 9:24 am
Amen, as well.
I would echo above comments, and add I wouldn’t want someone who questions your job to even do it for a day because they would screw it up. I don’t know you (unfortunately) but reading countless posts, I feel your passion. To think a person not in the educational fieldand who not very perceptive, can recognize and revere what you do speaks volumes about the use of You (or a MM clone, should you decide to pursue a PhD say at Georgetown or GW–I’d move and give you my house) in your position.
Take care adn keep it up
Avitable Said,
July 9, 2009 @ 9:59 am
Hm. I get the distinct impression that you’re being sarcastic and when you say “useless” you mean the exact opposite.
Chad Said,
July 9, 2009 @ 11:35 am
This is the writing of a brilliant human being. I love this blog and I find a lot of lessons in it ALL the time. You are truly one of my favorite people in the world.
xo
Chad
mommymae Said,
July 9, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
i’ve got no words. you know how i feel about you as an administrator. your teachers & students are lucky to have you, sweet cheeks.
Sophia Said,
July 9, 2009 @ 8:47 pm
Freaking nicely and beautifully said! You’ve left me speechless. hope it does to those naysayers!
Miss Britt Said,
July 10, 2009 @ 8:21 am
I can’t imagine a scenario where someone would call your job “useless”. I am truly confused and astounded.
BabyBloomr Said,
July 11, 2009 @ 5:01 pm
Bravo and amen!
*sets down big ol’ plate of Southern style summer squash to vigorously applaud*
You are the kind of savvy, conscientious, involved, compassionate administrator most school systems (not to mention parents) can only DREAM about!
I have such respect for you.
Linda Said,
July 11, 2009 @ 5:13 pm
Write on, sister. You are changing the world one “useless” task at a time. Keep your chin up, and don’t let those idiots get you down!
pink_chic Said,
July 12, 2009 @ 1:28 pm
I understand and keep up the good work
Amanda Said,
July 12, 2009 @ 2:59 pm
Oh sure let the cat out of the bag! I thought it was much better when people thought we educators were useless (and didn’t have a clue!).
Over 30 years (32 years as a child of a teacher) and I still don’t see what some people are complaining about…I mean I was thinking about next school year on my vacation…heck I bought $60 in classroom supplies while on vacation. I need help!
cazza Said,
July 13, 2009 @ 12:13 am
Who said your job is useless? Whomever says that doesn’t know you and the tremendous amount of work you do. These ignorant lazy assess’s lips should be sticky taped so that no other discourang words can be said through their ridiculous mouths! From someone who values what educators do and the knowledge they pass on to their students, I say more power to you. Find what motivates you and keep on keeping on. I’m sure when your students see you and have a one on one with them, you would really see what they really rhink of you, I say you would find thhe most deepest appreciation for all your support.
Jen Said,
July 15, 2009 @ 5:13 am
If feel for you. Your kids (who used to be my kids) need you and more people like you….if for no other reason to establish a relationship with during those critical years. I feel like I have to defend my job everyday as well (which used to be your job….is that a pattern of some sort? haha). Seriously, I would LOVE to know who said your job was useless so I can go kick their booty with you!
Mocha Momma Said,
July 15, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
Honestly, the person who said it doesn’t even know me. Just let it slip before actually finding out what I do for a living. Um. DUH. I would find out about someone’s career before making some horrible assessment of it. In fact, I’m still not sure I’d say anything so stupid.
It still helped to hear this choir of support, though. I re-read these comments now and then for the Good Feeling it gives me.
Katie Said,
October 9, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
Believe me girl you are not useless. I spend much of my time sitting on the couch . . . YOU are NOT useless!! If you are I wish I was so useless.