School
Work
Family
Church/Neighborhood
We’re tugged in all directions to accomplish certain tasks and build relationships that are meaningful and rewarding for us. Yet often, there is too much to be done, and not nearly enough time to accomplish it all.
One principal I’ve worked for has kicked teachers out of the building at 3:30pm, telling them to go home. He valued his family, and did not want anyone else leading an unbalanced life where work was your entire life.
I’ve worked for another principal who literally lives at the school. Her daughter is grown and in college, her responsibilities and her focus is that school–and she expects everyone else to feel the same way. It’s at the point where you get a guilt/disappointment trip if you are leaving early. “Oh, half day today?!” is the comment as you leave at 5pm after a long day that began at 7:30am.
In the past I might have been energized and ready to go for 12+ hours in the school. But that was before I had a family and a daughter. Now I’m ready, willing and able to work, and work incredibly effectively, but I am not willing to stay later, simply for the sake of staying late. What’s the point? Sure if there’s a large project that’s due, or some last minute things that pop up, once in a while, that’s ok.
What are your thoughts?
Stay late 3 days a week. But not crazy late. Have 1 or 2 days when you schedule time for the things that keep you sane. I work in a school where some teachers stay insanely late, some are on the plan I just described, and only the admins leave early almost every day. Not such a good thing. Show your commitment and honor your teachers’ hard work by being there working beside them… but model for them the importance of balance as well.
Ms. V,
Thank you for your comment. I agree it’s extremely important that I am right there working beside my staff. There has to be balance though and I think this is a great suggestion to maintain balance in the school.
I’m a new mom and have a long commute by car. I make a point to arrive at school at least an hour early, which I always accomplish unless there’s an accident or similar to slow me down. I also spend the better part of Sunday planning for the week.
My other big goal is to really maximize my preps- I find places to work where I won’t be distracted into chatting with teachers or otherwise goofing off. Then I stay after for about fifteen minutes to get things ready for the next day. When I get home, all my time is devoted to my daughter. I feel a little bad about not really doing work, but she’s already getting so big! When she goes to school and has homework I figure that I will do work when she does hers.
I agree with you about balance. When I was single, I definitely felt differently, but it was also easier to fit in non-work things. Now, my daughter comes first and everything else has to work around her.