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How to Ace a Teaching Career (144/365)

This season has been challenging in ways none of us would have expected, or imagined.


Serving on a twice-annual interview panel, in support of graduating college seniors, posed some internal conflicts this year, more than usual. Preparing myself to...to convince new teachers...that the teaching profession of the 2020s is the same profession that I entered in the 1990s felt impossible. Writing about acing interviews helped me process my thinking. But it's still left me feeling a bit more nervous than usual, heading into this experience.


There were certain welcomed comforts as I entered the auditorium. Seeing longtime colleagues, some of whom I haven't seen in months and even years, set my mind at ease. The warm introductions and easy, predictable flow of conversation helped everyone find their rhythm in making the typical points, essential to the experience for students. And listening to the stories and perspectives of administrators from different school districts, who are serving or have served in multiple roles, and with varied years of experiences was reassuring. Storytelling, laughs, and some questions and answers left the panel feeling as though we've helped and improved the chances of successful interview success, with our feedback and insights,


But something else about this year was different...for me...as a panelist.


This year, I learned something I hadn't ever considered. It was about this particular group of graduates.


We can talk about building relationships.


And the importance of social emotional learning, wellness, and self-care.


And empathy, resilience, and "walking in their shoes".


But this year's class, in fact, this generation's future teachers have something none of us have had, or will have in the future. These teachers will have lived a shared experience.


For the child who had interrupted education, they will have a teacher who has had the same.


For a child who has experienced the uncertainty of sickness, loss, death, and grief, the will have teachers who have had a parallel experience.


And for the child who is experience the uncertainty, thrill, and anxiety of making a full return to "normal", they will have teachers who have had this experience too.


Sure, educators went to school. We can say (and probably have said). "Back when I was your age...or grade...in your phase of life..."


But this, this is different.


These students, and these teachers, will have lived a similar experience. And maybe this has been the missing piece of education, and perhaps, society. Because, we can say build relationships, and meet them where they are, and any other hollow catch phrases.


But these graduates, they're learners. And when their students ask, "When are we ever going to use this?", the teachers of the 2020's will have more in common with the students, the learners, they serve, in how they answer the question.


Maybe this is the key to acing a teaching career?





Click here to visit the Learning Leadership 365 site, where you may read all posts I've written.

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