Currently, as an Assistant Principal, I find myself not having as many freedoms to take a step back and analyze the “why.” As Labaree (2003) detailed my job is to “make good things happen for students” (18). This requires me to efficiently solve problems and follow procedures. The fast-paced demands of the job offer little time for pause and reflection - an unfortunate consequence of the structure of the system.
My thinking is being transformed even further through my doctoral studies. This new learning is an exciting time for me but also leaves me feeling lonely. In my courses we openly discuss issues such as race, poverty, homelessness. At work when I pose questions to try to open the conversation to thinking and analyzing a situation, I often find teachers looking at me like a martian is growing out of my head.
References
Labaree, D. (2003). The peculiar problems of preparing educational researchers.
Educational Researcher, 32(4), 13-22.