Why I am moving from Full-time to Part-Time Teaching Next Year
After nearly a decade of teaching, I'm transitioning to part-time to focus on Worth Work and help educators grow.
TLDR: After nearly a decade of teaching, I'm transitioning to part-time to focus on Worth Work and help educators grow.
Insights:
A key role of educators in modeling adaptation and growth for students
Need for more reflection, understanding, respect, and wise action in education
Adult educators need to improve their practices and focus on their own spiritual, social, and emotional growth.
Read on for more…
It has been nine years since I began my teaching journey, and it is time for a change.
Every school year, there comes a moment when all the planning and preparation fail. I run out of time, and the next activity is underdeveloped. I used to panic in these moments, but after nine years, I have learned how to improvise a lesson.
I am winging more lessons, and my teaching style goes from crafting engaging experiences to just giving a "TED talk." It is easy to believe that these talks are still good instruction, but I know better.
Whoever is giving the most effort is doing the most learning.
While they are listening to my words, they are not learning because they are not doing.
That's on me.
My planning and preparation for class provide me with a buffer from these freestyle teaching moments. This buffer runs out for many reasons, but the main reason causing this change is being consumed by above-my-pay-grade problems during prep periods.
I've noticed the need for adult educators to not only improve their practices but also focus on their own spiritual, social, and emotional growth. Our students look to us for guidance, and it's crucial that we embody the same values and behaviors we expect from them. It can't be faked if we want real change, and it can't be faked if we want our students to authentically care about the humanity of others racially different from themselves.
For me, this means shifting my focus to the system work. I want to help adults improve their practices and do the hard work to become better.
Over the years, I've come to enjoy working with teachers who want to learn and grow. Our students keep changing, we keep changing, and the times keep changing – at an even faster rate now. To meet the needs of everyone in these rapidly changing times, we need more reflection, understanding, respect, and wise action.
Next year is ten years of teaching for me. While fifteen years in the classroom may not happen for me, I see myself as a learner, which means that the teaching never stops.
I know the future is uncertain and full of possibilities. I’m excited for this next stanza in my life.
Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to working with you in this new capacity.
-Desmond Spann