For my extra job at work (By the way did you know teachers get extra jobs on top of our already crazy jobs) I am a facilitator for our meetings and collaborations. At first, I was intimidated that I was asked (and I really basically mean told) to do this. But I am finding it interesting that as a new teacher to this school, so much is already expected out of me. I like that I am being challenged and I like that I don't need to prove myself. If anything I need to live up to the expectation of those in charge. I like that I can be myself and say the things that I think whether they are all PC or not and that those ideas can spiral me upward.
What a change from my last school where I constantly was belittled, our ideas didn't matter, we were told what to do, how to do it and what it should look like. It was a daily struggle to find time to reflect for yourself and even if you did, those reflections didn't matter because you had a certain way you were required to do things.
But in a setting where I am believed in, challenged and expected greatness from. I, personally, thrive. I want to be great, I enjoy a challenge and above all I want what is best fro the children I work with.
So for this facilitator job, I was afraid of being the leader of teachers. I have not been teaching the longest, I don't have all the answers and I am always actively learning for my job. So how can I be in charge? But in reality, I am always in charge. I am in charge of 21 students. I am in charge in group projects and I am organizational and sound. The leader doesn't need the answer, the leader needs to know what we are working with and move us forward.
That is something I can do. My "weakness" of not having the answers will inspire others to work together to find the answers. But I went to the meeting and I was inspired. I can be a facilitator of learning, I can force my group to work together and find a way to defeat the common enemy. I can rally the troops and I can attempt to keep us on task. Facilitating is my job. That's what a teacher is, and changing tunes and looking at adults is the same way.
We don't need as many community builders, we don't need as many rules in place becuase we understand what society is and how to interact with our peers, however, we do need time to work together and the ability to learn from each other and that's something I do all the time. So why not lead others in doing the same?
