Comments on: Do I have the passion? http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2008/01/29/do-i-have-the-passion/ Discussions on education and learning Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:15:24 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Kelly Christopherson http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2008/01/29/do-i-have-the-passion/comment-page-1/#comment-2719 Kelly Christopherson Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:32:57 +0000 http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2008/01/29/do-i-have-the-passion/#comment-2719 Kim, I can't speak about the superintendent job but I know that the change from classroom teacher to vice-principal to principal was drastic. You cannot describe it, it's one of the things you just have to live. I often try to describe what I do in a day but nothing really stands out yet I can tell you that when I am tired or it's been a long day, my head feels like mush. I waffle between loving what I do and looking for a new career - there are days that just don't seem to end. Thanks for the comment. Glad to have you back! Kim, I can’t speak about the superintendent job but I know that the change from classroom teacher to vice-principal to principal was drastic. You cannot describe it, it’s one of the things you just have to live. I often try to describe what I do in a day but nothing really stands out yet I can tell you that when I am tired or it’s been a long day, my head feels like mush. I waffle between loving what I do and looking for a new career – there are days that just don’t seem to end. Thanks for the comment. Glad to have you back!

]]> By: Kimberly http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2008/01/29/do-i-have-the-passion/comment-page-1/#comment-2718 Kimberly Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:42:39 +0000 http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2008/01/29/do-i-have-the-passion/#comment-2718 Okay, have to weigh in on this one. I'm an assistant superintendent now, for the past seven months anyway. I was a high school principal for five years, middle school assistant for two. NO ONE understands the non-stop mental and physical demands on a principal, unless they've done it. I work just as hard now, just as many hours, often more--but it's not the mentally exhausting, can't even tell my husband what the heck I did all day, fast and furious stuff of the principalship. As a principal, I was on my toes every minute of the day, solving problems, answering questions, triaging kids. I had NOTHING left at the end of a day. I miss it every day now. Miss the kids, the challenges, the pace. Love that I can come home and cook a meal for my family now because I'm not so burnt out I can barely remember the pizza delivery number. Miss the instant payback of making a difference with a kid. Love the big time changes I can make to the entire system. No one in a school system, not one person, works at a more mentally demanding pace than the principal. You have to have passion just to show up guy. Okay, have to weigh in on this one. I’m an assistant superintendent now, for the past seven months anyway. I was a high school principal for five years, middle school assistant for two. NO ONE understands the non-stop mental and physical demands on a principal, unless they’ve done it. I work just as hard now, just as many hours, often more–but it’s not the mentally exhausting, can’t even tell my husband what the heck I did all day, fast and furious stuff of the principalship. As a principal, I was on my toes every minute of the day, solving problems, answering questions, triaging kids. I had NOTHING left at the end of a day.

I miss it every day now. Miss the kids, the challenges, the pace. Love that I can come home and cook a meal for my family now because I’m not so burnt out I can barely remember the pizza delivery number. Miss the instant payback of making a difference with a kid. Love the big time changes I can make to the entire system.

No one in a school system, not one person, works at a more mentally demanding pace than the principal. You have to have passion just to show up guy.

]]> By: kwhobbes http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2008/01/29/do-i-have-the-passion/comment-page-1/#comment-2713 kwhobbes Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:28:25 +0000 http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2008/01/29/do-i-have-the-passion/#comment-2713 Well said. I notice that much of what is said about administrators not supporting technology is from the idea that they don't understand or know about the technology which is not always true. I would guess that there are a number of principals who do know about the tools but, like you, have reponsibilities that are really beyond the resources that you have. I commend you for your dedication and work, knowing that to be reading and commenting here, you are truly trying to do more in promoting technology. Best of luck and, next time, take one night off! Well said. I notice that much of what is said about administrators not supporting technology is from the idea that they don’t understand or know about the technology which is not always true. I would guess that there are a number of principals who do know about the tools but, like you, have reponsibilities that are really beyond the resources that you have. I commend you for your dedication and work, knowing that to be reading and commenting here, you are truly trying to do more in promoting technology. Best of luck and, next time, take one night off!

]]> By: Sue King http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2008/01/29/do-i-have-the-passion/comment-page-1/#comment-2711 Sue King Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:56:22 +0000 http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2008/01/29/do-i-have-the-passion/#comment-2711 You have said what I have been feeling since I left the Educon conference. I did attend, but was not able to fully participate because much of my weekend in Philly was spent back in my hotel room finishing up a multitude of tasks and projects for my school. Ithink what Chris has created at SLA is wonderful and the sessions I attended were awesome. As a building principal, I do everything I can to create a passion in my staff and my students for learning and for realtionships - and for using technology to further those things. But I also struggle with feeling that there are only so many hours in a day and days in a week and as passionate and dedicated as I am, there is way too much on my plate to feel like I can be completely effective. Yes, principals have to learn about all the 'stuff' that is out there and there are many of us who work to do just that, but we also need support, assistance, and some realization that different schools, school systems, and communities present different challenges. With 820 students and a demanding school community what I face may be very different from another. I think it is unwise to generalize what we all need to do or what we are all not doing. You have said what I have been feeling since I left the Educon conference. I did attend, but was not able to fully participate because much of my weekend in Philly was spent back in my hotel room finishing up a multitude of tasks and projects for my school.

Ithink what Chris has created at SLA is wonderful and the sessions I attended were awesome.

As a building principal, I do everything I can to create a passion in my staff and my students for learning and for realtionships – and for using technology to further those things. But I also struggle with feeling that there are only so many hours in a day and days in a week and as passionate and dedicated as I am, there is way too much on my plate to feel like I can be completely effective. Yes, principals have to learn about all the ’stuff’ that is out there and there are many of us who work to do just that, but we also need support, assistance, and some realization that different schools, school systems, and communities present different challenges. With 820 students and a demanding school community what I face may be very different from another. I think it is unwise to generalize what we all need to do or what we are all not doing.

]]> By: Dean Shareski http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2008/01/29/do-i-have-the-passion/comment-page-1/#comment-2709 Dean Shareski Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:40:47 +0000 http://kwhobbes.edublogs.org/2008/01/29/do-i-have-the-passion/#comment-2709 Your passion is evident and I'm sure whether you see it daily or not, rubs off on students and teachers in your own building let alone your online network. It's tough not to be a little down at times as you explore what others are doing but that's what's great about a global community. That's also what's bad. You get to see and compare yourself with others. In terms of passion and reflection, you stack up in my books. I'm also excited about some things that are happening locally here in Saskatchewan and I think folks like yourself will help lead the charge. TLt will be a start. Your passion is evident and I’m sure whether you see it daily or not, rubs off on students and teachers in your own building let alone your online network. It’s tough not to be a little down at times as you explore what others are doing but that’s what’s great about a global community. That’s also what’s bad. You get to see and compare yourself with others.

In terms of passion and reflection, you stack up in my books. I’m also excited about some things that are happening locally here in Saskatchewan and I think folks like yourself will help lead the charge. TLt will be a start.

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