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A Tech Teacher on a Mission

Shifts (and how I'm learning to appreciate this one)

8/21/2015

 
PictureShift by pixabay.com
Each new school year always brings a shift for me. Whether that shift is the challenge of a different grade level, moving to a new school, inspirational professional growth, or simply working with different colleagues, I am always moved to adopt new learning.

This year’s shift is different. Very different.

I’m not going to be teaching this year. This is the first year in 4 years that I am not a part of a classroom, a school, or a school district. This year, I’m taking a personal leave from teaching to pursue the remainder of my Masters degree full time. And I will be living between San Mateo, California and Langley, British Columbia while I complete it.

Yes, I will still be learning, but I will be learning in different ways. This shift is profusely more personal than any other one I’ve done before. I get to make a major investment in my personal life while also creating space to complete my education. I get to experience living in a different place and plant my feet firmly in my singular role of “student” instead of juggling the professional roles of “teacher”, “coach”, and “student”, and beyond.

PictureAHHHH! by Tia Denise on Flickr.
Despite the exciting, wonderful, and mindful reasons for this change, taking a step back from where the real work gets done in the education feels like a major interruption to my professional life. And on August 15th, as I sat at EdCampSFBay, listening to the excitement of school startups, the passion of teachers returning to their beloved students, and working through professional problems collaboratively with peers, it was like an earthquake inside of my soul. 

Anxious, panicked Victoria took over (rather forcefully) and my mind wandered into overdrive: What am I doing? I’m not going to have any of my own students this year! What if I lose touch because I’m not in the classroom? Should I still even be in the classroom when I go back? What role am I supposed to play in education? Is it teaching? Coaching? Administration? Something that doesn’t even exist in my district? Ahhh!!!

As you can see, I wasn’t exactly dealing with things well. 

The challenge for me this week was to answer at least some of those questions by fighting back at them with logic! 
(Note: Logic doesn’t always come naturally when one is internally panicking at an edcamp.)

  1. I’m taking this year off to be a student. One role. Full stop. No distractions.
  2. Yes, no students. See logic point #1.
  3. If I lose touch, I’m choosing to lose touch. I need to keep reading blog posts, connecting with educators, and attending conferences and professional development events. Losing touch is a choice.
  4. Stay in the classroom…? Uhhhh… shoot.

This last question is very poignant to me. I have the space this year to figure out what role I wish to play in education moving forward. This isn’t as simple as writing pros and cons lists; this is figuring out my calling and understanding the path I need to navigate to get there, whatever that may be. There is happiness in knowing I could create larger changes in the educational sphere, but sadness in the fact that those roles are often farther away from kids.

The truth is, I’m not sure how this is all going to turn out. What I do know is that I have the space and time to focus on these questions, support present all around me, and room for new adventures as I live between my two homes over the next year. I’m learning to appreciate the hope, the wonder, and the excitement that the coming year has to offer. 

This shift is different. And I’m choosing to make the most of it. 

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D'Alice
8/21/2015 06:43:20 am

Let me tell you a little something I know about you:

You WILL be GREAT at whatever you choose to do.

And in no way do I see you choosing to lose touch with students and the classroom, no matter the role you choose later on. Even if it's not in the classroom. You recognize that students are the core of education and any awesome changes you make in helping them will be done with them in the forefront of your mind. If you are not in a classroom, you will find multiple classrooms filled with students and teachers to visit before making any decision.

Anytime you find yourself wanting to be in a classroom, I'd gladly welcome you into mine. Dare you step foot in it. Once you're in you won't leave. (At least I didn't - and don't plan on it anytime soon).

All the best to you in this upcoming year! It will be filled with stress (both good and bad) and adventures. Take the time to savour every moment of it. And know that you're on a meandering path, not a straight road with a dead-end.

D

Victoria Olson link
8/31/2015 07:03:44 am

Hey D,

Thanks for the kind words, friend! Indeed your last statement is true - and almost nothing comes directly or with ease. :)

V.

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Jim Cash link
8/30/2015 12:41:05 pm

Wanted to wish you the best for the coming year and for a successful finish to your MET. I'm grad of that program (2012) and I know it can be quite demanding but very satisfying at the same time. Take care and I will continue to read your blog, of course (although I don't often have time to comment on blogs I read as much as I wish to).

Victoria Olson link
8/31/2015 07:04:37 am

Jim,

Thanks for commenting and congrats to you (even if it's late). I look forward to joining the Alumni side of MET. :) Take care!

Kevin F
8/30/2015 12:47:33 pm

This may be self-serving, or justification after the fact, but I don't believe that leaving the classroom necessarily means "losing touch". Sure, we all know those for whom it did, but I don't feel like I've forgotten 16 years of classroom experience simply because I've been a ToSA for 3 years. I think if your primary focus is *kids*, then your contribution will be valuable, whether you are a teacher, ToSA, coach, administrator, researcher, or some other role.

Victoria Olson link
8/31/2015 07:06:38 am

Well said! While that seems to be common sense that kids are at the middle of our work, I think it's really easy for folks to lose touch of that out of the classroom. For those who don't, it's because the passion truly lies in what's doing best for students, not simply advancing one's career. Thanks for the beautiful reminder that I should not be scared of this happening to me :)

Errin link
8/30/2015 03:30:18 pm

Good for you to take the leap and make real change in your life. It will be wonderful to focus on your studies and the personal investment is priceless. Also, the time to think about your journey as an educator will give you the opportunity and space you need to figure out answers to those and other questions. Best wishes to you!

Victoria Olson link
8/31/2015 07:07:53 am

Thanks Errin! It's surreal that it's August 31 and I'm not preparing my classroom for students next week. But I am so happy to be with my partner and building our life together while I complete my Masters degree. Thanks again for the well wishes. Have a great year!

vicky link
8/16/2016 01:58:54 am

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To learn the appreciate thing is could be done in a same way as it could be followed in the big way of business things

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    Victoria Olson
    A curious and passionate educator in Langley, BC

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