Let’s hope that I am at my penultimate level or less of the infamous Peter Principle.
Laurence Peter coined the term Peter Principle referring to personnel management. The premise of the theory is … a candidate for a position is based on the candidate's performance in their current role, rather than on abilities relevant to the intended role. Thus, employees only stop being promoted once they can no longer perform effectively, and "managers rise to the level of their incompetence." In my career, although I may not take the step, I want to have at least one more step left in me!
At times I wonder, “Am I tapped out? Have I stopped being effective?” For good or bad, I don’t have student growth measures or SLOs to show my proficiency. Being a subject area instructional resource specialist has its perks! I get to think about math, understand math, and see how math connects to various things. Math all day everyday! It also has its drawbacks. I get to “only” think about math, “only” understand math, and “only” connect math to various things. Math all day everyday.
As the district math specialist, I am no longer teaching in a "classroom of students” format. Although not in a classroom daily, I am STILL teaching, and I have to remind myself of that often. Certain days I mourn the loss of a classroom more than others. Today was not one of those days.
I got to school a bit earlier today to scope out the room. It looked good. I had set it up the night before just in case as I always say, “I got hit by a bus,” on my 2.5 mile commute to school; a practice I did religiously in my classroom despite the fact that I am an early bird and a procrastinator.
Shortly before eight this morning, colleagues, teachers and principals, streamed into the professional development center that was awash in sunlight. “Showtime!” I thought to myself. After a few quick checks with my teaching partner for the day, we were off and running with our professional develop. Working our plan, I was like a pig in slop!
As I bounced around the room, one of my fellow district level instructional resource specialist commented, “You look SO happy!” The wide grin and glean in her seaweed green eyes displayed her “approval” as she sheepishly expressed her regret, “I am a little jealous. This is going really well.” For her in-service day she was situated in the back of the room relegated to IPad prep necessary for Monday morning instruction. At times, I believe the dedicated teachers that are re-positioned out of the classroom to share their instructional thoughts, ideas, and techniques with others struggle with not having a classroom anymore.
After a successful day like today, I am thinking I haven't reached my ultimate level of The Peter Principle. What keeps me going and improving in my current role is remembering that i was a good classroom teacher, and I am continuing to be a good teacher in a "larger" venue. Instructional resource specialists/ coaches at the school or district level need to remember the words of the fourteenth and current Dalai Lama, "Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects."
Today, DuPage County Institute Day, was a good teaching day!
Thank you again DM; it was FUN!
Laurence Peter coined the term Peter Principle referring to personnel management. The premise of the theory is … a candidate for a position is based on the candidate's performance in their current role, rather than on abilities relevant to the intended role. Thus, employees only stop being promoted once they can no longer perform effectively, and "managers rise to the level of their incompetence." In my career, although I may not take the step, I want to have at least one more step left in me!
At times I wonder, “Am I tapped out? Have I stopped being effective?” For good or bad, I don’t have student growth measures or SLOs to show my proficiency. Being a subject area instructional resource specialist has its perks! I get to think about math, understand math, and see how math connects to various things. Math all day everyday! It also has its drawbacks. I get to “only” think about math, “only” understand math, and “only” connect math to various things. Math all day everyday.
As the district math specialist, I am no longer teaching in a "classroom of students” format. Although not in a classroom daily, I am STILL teaching, and I have to remind myself of that often. Certain days I mourn the loss of a classroom more than others. Today was not one of those days.
I got to school a bit earlier today to scope out the room. It looked good. I had set it up the night before just in case as I always say, “I got hit by a bus,” on my 2.5 mile commute to school; a practice I did religiously in my classroom despite the fact that I am an early bird and a procrastinator.
Shortly before eight this morning, colleagues, teachers and principals, streamed into the professional development center that was awash in sunlight. “Showtime!” I thought to myself. After a few quick checks with my teaching partner for the day, we were off and running with our professional develop. Working our plan, I was like a pig in slop!
As I bounced around the room, one of my fellow district level instructional resource specialist commented, “You look SO happy!” The wide grin and glean in her seaweed green eyes displayed her “approval” as she sheepishly expressed her regret, “I am a little jealous. This is going really well.” For her in-service day she was situated in the back of the room relegated to IPad prep necessary for Monday morning instruction. At times, I believe the dedicated teachers that are re-positioned out of the classroom to share their instructional thoughts, ideas, and techniques with others struggle with not having a classroom anymore.
After a successful day like today, I am thinking I haven't reached my ultimate level of The Peter Principle. What keeps me going and improving in my current role is remembering that i was a good classroom teacher, and I am continuing to be a good teacher in a "larger" venue. Instructional resource specialists/ coaches at the school or district level need to remember the words of the fourteenth and current Dalai Lama, "Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects."
Today, DuPage County Institute Day, was a good teaching day!
Thank you again DM; it was FUN!