The Happiness of Losing a Teacher

I got a phone call about a teacher.  Not a complaint.  It was quite the opposite.  It was a reference check.  Dare I say it wasn't just any reference check.  This teacher is an aspiring administrator and was in the final stages of being employed as an assistant principal in a district nearby.  While I am bummed about losing a good teacher, I am excited for her to take on this opportunity.  She did some of her intern work with me and she is ready to lead.  Congratulations Marion Junior High.  You are getting a good one.

She is the third teacher I have lost to administration in eight years here.  Personally, I love it.  I get to check in with my other two occasionally and they have made me proud.  I have had co-workers and community members from both districts tell me that they love their principals and I'm sure this third teacher turned admin will also yield the same feedback.  I will not take any credit for how well they do but I do feel we have an obligation to help grow those who want to become building leaders.  By the way, another congratulations to Arcola Elementary School on getting a good one too.

I heard a colleague say about the teacher shortage that his current teachers used to be the best recruiters for new teachers.  They provided the narrative of how great teaching is and passed it on to others.  That is very true, but it is also true for us administrators.  We don't have to push people into administrative work, but we can always model good leadership so that others can aspire to make the leap.  One of my other Type 75 teachers once told me very honestly that he could not be a principal because he saw what I put into the job and didn't think he could do it.  I've always told him that he could, but I see this as positive feedback. He sees my commitment and passion for the work.  If I am doing anything right, I am leading by example.  If that moves people into the principal's office, then it is worth it.

I really have three hopes for my teachers that jump into administration.

1. Making the move is family decision.  Don't overlook that.
2. Realize that you are a public servant.  That entails responsibility and accountability to people.
3. Be better at this than I am.  Like, way better.

We are not only facing a teacher shortage but we are also facing a principal shortage.  One of the recommendations to keep principals is to work to elevate the the perception of the profession as a call to service.  In my opinion, this effort is past due by state officials and must be carried out by us.  The effects of principal turnover are harmful to both students and teachers.  Achievement tends to drop and teachers tend to leave.  Just as it is our duty to encourage teachers to become principals, it is the job of these new leaders to commit to staying to inspire and lead others.

When I was teaching they called making the move to administration "going to the dark side".  It is only appropriate then that we use a Yoda quote to wrap this up.  In The Last Jedi he tells Luke that "we are what they grow beyond.  That is the burden of all masters."  In other words, it should be the natural order of things that they become better than us.  So to LeighAnn Bailey, Megan Price and now Sarah Stowers please move past me.  By a long way.  That is the only way I am happy to lose a teacher.