It Takes A Team

Growing up in an educator family, I often heard how important the team of teachers and administrators one works with was to success. Success for the students, and success for the teacher.

I have seen the reverse of that truth as well. Friends and family that have limped or crawled to the end of their school year, feeling alone and abandoned by their peers and their leaders. As a new teacher this year, the prospect of what teachers and administrators I would work with weighed heavy on me. I had been fortunate to work with a great team in my year as an assistant at South Knoll Elementary last year, but being the "teacher of record" was going to be different.

I wanted a staff that supported me, and I wanted a staff that let me feel like I contributed and was not just the "newbie."  And I wanted a staff that I could hopefully be able to be of service to as well.

From almost the first day, I felt the support and encouragement of my fellow teachers- from my department head April to my mentor teacher Will to teachers in our department like Molly and Chris. They shared ideas and strategies and a listening ear. They were a sounding board , and when necessary a restraint from a well-intentioned but poorly thought out idea.

I found this same support and trust from my administration this year, from the start. I was allowed- and encouraged- to pursue new strategies and lessons. I learned that my principals were not just telling me they appreciated and liked what I was doing- they told others. From my fellow teachers AND my administration I found a level of support and trust I have never before experienced in my professional life.

One of the best examples was the day of District Cross-ex debate. An unexpected ice storm hit, and threw the day into chaos. I was able to sit down with my principal, Mr. Martindale, and he let me make the calls, and backed and supported my decisions the whole way. Meanwhile, my fellow teachers were standing by and offering help as needed. We made it to the meet that day, after support from all levels on my campus fought for our students to still get the chance to compete. Which they did and successfully advanced to State.

As the year has progressed, the support has increased. And in spite of being a first year teacher, I have never once been treated like a rookie.  Perhaps being "old" for a rookie helps, but the credit lies with my fellow faculty and their desire to see a successful campus- which means successful students. One look at College Station High School's two years of existence is enough to see that success is highly treasured. State champions, and champions at other levels, in athletics, academics, vocationals,  fine arts- you name it, CSHS students do well. It comes from talented students and a faculty that believes in their students and works together to make every path a way to victory.  I marvel at these teenagers and the teachers who are so excited for their success, even when that student has never set foot in their class.

My wife has disallowed me from complaining about my first year. Not that I would- or could- if I wanted to. A big reason is the people I work with. It is an amazing team, and it is the kind of place I want to be for a long time.

Here's hoping they feel the same way about me!