Thursday, December 10, 2009

Administrative Frustration

On the whole I am enjoying the administrative graduate classes I have been taking. The great majority of the people I meet in these classes are wonderful. They are dedicated, smart, thoughtful educators.

That said, there are always one or two that cause me great internal pain. The idea that they could be a principal someday is disturbing.

There are two types of these people. The first is just clueless. These people don't know anything about current issues in education. I'm surprised when they know what NCLB stands for. What suggests to these folks that they have anywhere near enough knowledge to be a principal?

The second type doesn't seem to understand equity issues. They are willing to cut programs and have students and families pay for things. Basically what they say is that everyone needs to be responsible for themselves. Sometimes this is based in racism. Sometimes it is based in 'back to basics' bull.

I wouldn't want to work for either of these types of administrators.

(Just as an aside, I don't think I want to be a principal. It's a very important, very difficult job. I don't think I'm good enough or dedicated enough.)

5 comments:

Mamie said...

Oh, AMEN!!! I have encountered these very people in administrative classes as well, and they truly scare me! While I have enjoyed the classes for many reasons, and have learned some really valuable skills, I am pretty sire that being a building principal is NOT what I want to do, for the same reasons you mentioned.

Hang in there!

Teacher Tom said...

Arg! I despise the "free market" education guys. Maybe the free market is best for making TVs or cars, but the "every man for himself" principle is no way to educate children.

Yeah, don't become a principal. Teaching is too important to lose people like you!

Anonymous said...

I got my masters in administration several years ago and thought the same thing. There were a bunch of high school coaches in my program and they were clueless. One guys wife was doing all of his assignments. I ended up not going for it for health reasons. Too much stress in those jobs.

organized chaos said...

I think you're too good and too dedicated to be a principal. Being a fabulous teacher is a more important job. You're right where you should be :)

Snippety Gibbet said...

Oh my gosh. That is sooooo very scary!!!

I have worked for some lulu principals in my time. One was working on her doctoral dissertation...at home during the school day...as secretaries did research on the web....and the custodians drove take-out to her house. I swear I am not making this up.

She no longer is employed in that position.

jan