This time of year, I often feel like I'm in the middle. I'm being pulled in lots of directions. As we move into hiring season, many of you may start to feel the same way. You're happy for your colleagues who are getting new and exciting opportunities, you're happy that you have a job you love, but you're sad and nervous for the friends and colleagues who are still longing for their chance to have their own classrooms.
I will never forget the JOY of getting my first real teaching job. I still remember the phone call when the principal offered it to me. I still remember walking into my classroom for the first time and the feeling of accomplishment that came with it (I also remember crying for the first 180 school days because I was a terrible teacher-but that's a post for another day). Now, one of the most exciting things I get to do as a principal is to be the person who others will remember when they think back about getting their first teaching jobs. However, I also remember the feeling of getting the call and being told that I did not get the job (cough, cough, I'm talking about you Goshen Lane Elementary School in Gahanna circa 2000). I remember feeling hopeless and questioning if this was the right profession for me. I got tired of people saying "everything happens for a reason," even though they were right. And, you guessed it, crushing peoples dreams is one of the things that I hate about my job as a principal. It is so hard to watch some great educators try year after year to get hired only to have circumstances out of their control keep them from their dreams. It is also hard when you have only a few positions to fill and so many great people to fill them. As we move through hiring season I am going to be intentional about ensuring that I make decisions and announcements with care and concern for people's feelings, hopes and dreams while still being excited for those who have finally reached theirs. To all of you who are reading this, you are all in different stages of your journeys but if you can LIFT up a colleague or friend who is struggling and anxious right now, I know it would be appreciated.
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