The Evolution of One's Role
We had the AVS spring concert and art walk this past week. It was a well-attended event with many of my past students in the audience with children of their own on the stage. As the evening went on I was taken back to my first few years at AVS and this reflection made me realize that there is an ebb and flow of oneās relationship within the school community.
In starting at AVS, I felt that I was pushing forward on things, believing in the possibility of positive change, better teaching, better learning, and as a school team, we were working in that direction. Wednesday night allowed me to reflect that my relationship with the community and outlook has changed, and there is a new crew who pushes those things forward. I see myself now as I saw my teaching partner, as she guided me so masterfully to improve my teaching. She was at this point when she had had her run with my predecessor as they pushed the teaching and learning in this school community and was at that time seeing a new crew arrive with that energy and drive. She often seemed to be reserved, as if holding back, and I did not understand this behavior as I do now. Her patience, understanding, and experience that she was bringing to bear as this new teacher entered the community. She took a back seat of sorts, continuing to do the great teaching and work with our students that she had become an expert on, but from her new vantage point, letting others drive forward on big changes that āweā thought were important. She was unbelievably supportive as I think back, with my new perspective, on how she stepped aside and allowed others to try their ideas, even though she most often knew the outcomes or best ways forward.
So this week, I find myself pausing to contemplate her example and working on how I should proceed as I come to understand that my position is much as hers was when I started. Taking a less active role in the day-to-day of the school. To focus more on myself and what I may need in my life rather than just what I need to do as a āperceived importantā member of the school faculty. And to be okay with that change. To listen more and not speak as much. To share when I have something that can benefit the situation rather than push and tug on a topic that others are already massaging into existence. They now have the vision, the drive, and the energy. I have the experience that sometimes is a fit and can help, and other times, it is simply my experience whose time has passed. I now need to be the one guiding our new faculty forward, not putting up needless roadblocks that get in the way of change and progress.
Oh, the pleasures of many years in one place and a moment to reflect.