Teacher

I have just turned down a full-time administrative position with Kirkwood. I will remain an ELA Coordinator who teaches two classes on a 201-day contract.

While I didn’t know what shape upper administration’s offer to me would take when they finally got back to the English department about our proposal, the offer they made me was a great deal more work for a tiny bit more money. And while I would have liked to have done better for the college and the ELA program, a savvy employee must also respect herself and the work she does.

Therefore, nothing changes. I will continue to do the job I do with the time I have. As we gain more staff, this will help anyway, so perhaps the need for a full-time administrator will fade.

I still have the same great boss, the same great coworkers, and the same great support staff I had earlier today. I still matter to my students. I have a flexible job with awesome benefits, with the protection of a strong union. This means that I will be able to keep writing books, rather than having to scramble for evening times to do art. And I am not an at-will employee. And I don’t have to be in the office all day. And I can still get professional development. What a great job I have!

Only my pride is suffering. I feel a bit dispensable and undervalued at the moment. I believed I was thought to be a more valuable player than I apparently am, and I suppose as soon as I get over myself, things will be fine.

So, yay?

Author: Catherine Schaff-Stump

Catherine Schaff-Stump writes fiction for children and young adults. Her most recent book, The Vessel of Ra, is the first book in the Klaereon Scroll series. She is currently working on its sequel, as well as penning the middle grade adventures of Abigail Rath, monster hunter.

3 thoughts on “Teacher”

  1. I’m going to quote Captain Kirk here, giving some hard-won advice to Captain Picard in Star Trek Generations:

    “Don’t let them promote you. Don’t let them transfer you. Don’t let them do anything that takes you off the bridge of that ship, because while you’re there, you can make a difference.”

    Stay on the bridge, Cath! From where I’m sitting, you’re in a win-win situation. Having time to teach and write without sacrificing the quality of either is truly the best of both worlds.

  2. I hear you, but honestly this sounds like a win. Far as I can tell, you love your job and you love having that extra bit of time to write. Now you get to keep both and not have to wonder “what if?”.

    Plus, selfishly, I’m happy you’ll have more writing time 😉

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