People Employed in Education / Schools (United States)

Although I am fairly new at this whole adult life, I must say that we, as a people, rush around for nothing. We are in a hurry to go to school, in a hurry to get out. In a hurry to find a job, in a hurry to retire. But the one question that I had to ask myself was: What makes me complete? Of course, the well-being of my family: mentally, spiritually, and physically. But, all of those must be joined and thought about carefully in order to truly answer what makes you whole. I personally say that having a career that allows me to be independent is very important to me. I want to be able to be involved in my children's lives without worrying that I will lose my job or inconveince someone else. I want stability and an atmosphere that I can share with women similar to me. Mothers and wives who love God and their families and want to prosper in life. I want to surround myself with people just like me and learn new things. I want friends in the work place. I want to be ble to share recepies, talk about what little "Johnny" or little "Susie" did that was just so cute. I want relationship. Some people want to be their own boss. Some want to sit back and just do what they are told. Some don't want families and wouldn't mind working long hours. Some people want to save lives. I think that is wonderful! But, what I think most is I want a doctor who LOVES his job and a cook who LOVES to make WONDERFUL meals to please me and my family. I want and accountant that breathes taxes so mine will be accurate. It is so important to love what you do and do what you love. In my book, that is the key to success and the key to being amazing at what you do. You have to have a heart for what you do everyday, all day!

GOD bless and I hope each of you finds your calling.

My job is funded by research grant money. Since it is harder nowadays to obtain research funding I don't have a strong sense of job security. On the other hand I have a lot of control over my day to day work including when and where I work, which is probably the best part of the job. I would love to get a tenured position, but they are hard to come by.

I have passed the Basic Skills Test and you would think with 120 hours, and a NCLB Highly Qualified assistant, I would earn more. I am returning to college to get my degree, and will open my own small parent-child center. Working for myself seems to be the only way. I love the methods that I use to educate students. The principals (some) are bullies. They do not know about treating people the way you want to be treated.

It is imperative to remember what is most important to you in life. I believe that when you feel overwhelmed then you should analyze why and whatare the factors which cause you so much grief. Corporations spend more and more time being concerned with their bottom line, not their employees. Essentially, people become upset when they are given the infamous pink slip or terminated. Will you ever be paid what you are worth in your current position? Your loyalty to your corporation is misplaced. Do what serves you best and the thank God that you believe in him?

I beleive I can make a difference in the way students learn

There is always some something that always hinders your decision to go for your dreams. But it is not until you go for that something, where you find true happiness.

After being off probation and told you would have an increase to bring you up to where you should be, how should you handle this?

I have been a career educator for over 25 years now. Although my service to the organization receive above standard ratings, the opportunity for a promotion is at a standstill.

Administrators retire and/or leave the field every day for whatever reason. Some leave and return at a higher executive level. I have always been committed to the job I do, but often feel overlooked or cast aside for whatever reason.

Research can prove that if there were a husband/wife team in education, both received lead positions. I interviewed for principal positions in the early 90's and watched people with less, 1-2 years teaching experience, move forward. I was told in one interview that only experienced principals were placed in new schools and the same year, watched an assistant principal get placed in a new school. Poor performance assumably landed her downtown, where less effective administrators tend to go.

I currently have 15 years of teaching experience at all levels and almost 12 years of administrative experience and it is as if it does not count for anything (longevity). I went through the principal's training for years, even before the more stringent demands were placed on school leadership.There seems to be a trend to hire people with less experience to promote lower salaries.

I often question why is it so difficult to keep or retain successful leaders in the system. There was once an old adage that "experience was the best teacher", but I guess that no longer holds true in this fast paced, contemporary society.

I have become more focused and less concerned where I am because I can honestly see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It remains a mocked concept when less is given to the ones of greatest commitment to the program.

I continue to want what is best for the district in which I have been a viable constituent for over 20 years and advocate for student learning and achieving at levels greater than ever, but we need not cast aside that which has made us what we are - experience.

The company I work for recently instituted a self evaluation for employees to fill out prior to their actual annual review. This, I feel, was most instrumental in negotiating a higher payscale. It gave the opportunity to reflect on the things I had accomplished, projects I had volunteered to do that had nothing to do with my present job description. It gave time to summarize various additional responsibilities that came my way during the year and put them down on paper prior to the actual face to face review. I highly recommend if your company does not have this policy that you do it for yourself.

Document those things for yourself and bring them up. Be positive, "how I enjoyed helping out with that project" to break up my day and be more responsible, "made me feel more like a team player", etc. Don't use killer phrases, "I did all this and it wasn't really my job" Got a decent raise out of this procedure.

When I started working I was explained how things worked and what system was being used. Eventually I got comfortable with the job and I started to notice of ways to be more efficient, however, I was hesitant to say anything because the person who taught me was loved by everyone and they seem to do everything she wanted, and being that I was new I finally decided to speak to my boss, who was over the person training me. The person who worked their previously, who was training me, was promoted to a Attendance Specialist. I noticed she was happy and dandy at her job, however, I finally spoke to my boss and I let him know of how we can be resourceful and organize the department with some of the technology that was accessible, however, it was not being used, not sure why, and my boss said, "What were you waiting for!!!" and continued saying, "That is what we needed someone who can get us organized and get things done with efficiency." I was shocked, and from then I would always speak up. That was the best thing I could have ever done, later, the other person stop coming by to train me, instead, she would stop by with questions on how to work with computer software. Sometimes new ways are better. Use your best judgement and go for it! Speak Up!