I’ve been trying to get back into schools for two years. Finally, the stars have aligned. I’m heading out of media/tech admin at the central office and back into school-life. I will be assistant principal at West Carteret High School.
I still have county oversight with athletics and distance learning. On the political side, I will see through this year’s substantial local $$ for technology infusion.
I’ve been wrestling with this move for a while. Part of me is excited, but I’ve got some serious butterflies. My goal is to keep sharing my worldview on education at Haulin’ ‘Net. I’m realistic that all that may get dashed soon after the late night ball games, etc take hold. But I hope not.
I left West Carteret as an instructional technology facilitator a decade ago. I have been fortunate to have had a variety of rich leadership experiences during that time. My six years as Director of Media and Technology have been eventful and rewarding. As a department, we are in real good shape. This year will be busy as we deploy and integrate a lot of assets. I look forward to hearing about the great things ahead in Media and Technology.
My replacement, who had been instructional technology facilitator at Croatan HS, is coming in to lead media and tech on a part-time basis. I am working with her on the plans, processes, evaluations, budgets, etc. we have in place for this year.
Trust me, this system is gaining with the new leader at the department helm. She was a county teacher of the year, so instruction is first with her. She is very intelligent, speaks well, writes well, presents well, is politically astute, is a numbers guru and comes from the Career and Tech Ed (VoTech) camp. She is a positive people person and a team player.
I have locked in a deal with County Gov to fund tech at certain levels for the next five years. So she won’t have to spend enormous time and energy in the political morass.
As for me, I want to get back to the uniqueness of school life. After ten years away, I look forward to dealing with the unique energy of high school students. I want to see 1250 unique student faces every day. I want to help them handle their unique challenges. I want to be amazed by their unique wonder.
And the WCHS staff? I look forward to working with them again. I look forward to learning with them. I look forward to supporting them . . . and with their support, I look forward to US making WCHS the best 21C school it can be.
Leaving media and technology during these times of rapid change is not easy. Here is one of the quotes that gives me perspective at this time—”Don’t lament that it is over; rejoice that it happened.”
I tell myself this often.
Congrats on the new position Joe!
Posted by: Tracy Weeks | August 29, 2007 at 09:54 AM