Lose to Win

One of the greatest aspects of teaching is being able to collaborate with other amazing teachers. This past week I've spent time at Penn High School working with four other women in a technology workshop. It's been fun, and I have learned a lot. It's also made me sad.

It's no secret that I was heart broken when my good friend and fellow teacher Kelli decided to leave teaching to pursue a writing career. She is an amazing teacher, friend, woman, and human being. She is also hands down probably the best teacher I've ever witnessed.

I was already feeling upset about losing such a great teacher and friend when I learned that my fearless leader, my friend, and another phenomenal teacher was moving on to take a position as a principal. He is going to set OD on fire, and I am lucky to have worked with him, learned from him, joked with him, and collaborated with him. Filling his shoes? Unlucky :)

I should have known that things happen in threes. This past week I learned that another one of my friends, fellow English teachers, all-around good guy was leaving WHS in order to better serve his family. Berg is probably one of the most honest, kind, and giving people I know. He was the guy willing to do the crazy stuff like dressing up as a Caveman or Elvis to meet a "need" at school. lol. So, you can see how I would be heartbroken that he, too, has left.

I'm scared right now. I'm the department head, and I don't even have positions filled for the upcoming school year. The three people I talk to the most about curriculum and instruction are gone. I kind of feel like I'm lost at sea or am running in a trail that leads deeper into the woods with no exit (I might actually enjoy that if I was actually running).

No one gave me an instructional manual for being department head, and I already feel like I might have made a few mistakes. I don't want to give my colleagues extra work when we're already overburdened, but I also can't do things alone. I don't want to dictate, and I don't want to only ask a few people, because I know what's it's like to be the person who is asked over and over and over to do one extra thing. I want us to be a team. To work together, to have fun, and to find some satisfaction in this profession that is becoming more and more difficult.

I also hope my colleagues give me some room to make mistakes because I will. It comes with being human.