Ok, Crown Me King
Don't be sad…
Sometimes we all
Must alter paths we planned.
Only try understand…
I want to save you
From the lost and damned.”
--Kamelot from the song Lost and Damned from the CD Epica, 2004.
Well, not much to report this week.
OK, I am lying.
I was “officially” promoted to department chair of the Social Science Department. The Board of Education was notified—and how do I know that I am the new Department Chair?
Well, it did not make the newspaper; otherwise I would have posted it.
First clue was when I sat in the interviews for the new member of the department. It was a great experience.
Second clue was when I found out no one else applied for it (so I guess I win by a default vote).
Third clue was when the administration wrote me to inform me.
Fourth clue was when Gene and I worked on Department materials for the end of the year. No way I was letting Gene go down in flames alone—that was a joke. Gene is a great friend and mentor. He is also the current department chair, and he is officially retiring after summer school. We are currently teaching summer school together.
Fifth clue was when Gene and I did the budget today—after which we went out for lunch and a board member came up to us when we were waiting in line. He shook my hand and congratulated me, as he commented that I will make an excellent department chair—as he said the administration let him know at the board meeting last evening.
--Kamelot from the song Lost and Damned from the CD Epica, 2004.
Well, not much to report this week.
OK, I am lying.
I was “officially” promoted to department chair of the Social Science Department. The Board of Education was notified—and how do I know that I am the new Department Chair?
Well, it did not make the newspaper; otherwise I would have posted it.
First clue was when I sat in the interviews for the new member of the department. It was a great experience.
Second clue was when I found out no one else applied for it (so I guess I win by a default vote).
Third clue was when the administration wrote me to inform me.
Fourth clue was when Gene and I worked on Department materials for the end of the year. No way I was letting Gene go down in flames alone—that was a joke. Gene is a great friend and mentor. He is also the current department chair, and he is officially retiring after summer school. We are currently teaching summer school together.
Fifth clue was when Gene and I did the budget today—after which we went out for lunch and a board member came up to us when we were waiting in line. He shook my hand and congratulated me, as he commented that I will make an excellent department chair—as he said the administration let him know at the board meeting last evening.
Ahh...the "go-ahead" I was waiting for all of these months so I could "legally" blog the success.
Now I can mold minds from a position of authority.
Well, that and do a ton of paperwork. Gene spends countless hours just keeping tabs on department finances and sifting through the mishmash of memos and deadlines. Gene's wife came by my room the other day and I commented how much I "hated the paperwork." She laughed and said "Oh Eric, it has only just begun for you." I almost felt that a nervous relief accompanied her manical giggles--which caused me to worry.
Next year, I will have the opportunity to conduct meetings that present information from the administration—which is not too bad, except I was always a jerk at such meetings when I was one with the rabble. Karma is a bitch, I suppose.
I will also act as a liaison between the Administration and the Department Members when there is a problem. The trick is to defend your department member while enforcing the integrity of the Administration. This is usually only a problem when the department members are new—oh, every member of the department is non-tenured having maximum of three years of experience in the district at this point, with the exception of me. Hence the definition of "new" and of a "problem."
Well the Administration and Board finally achieved what they wanted—they forced me to grow up.
In all seriousness, this should be fun and challenging. I am also quite appreciative in my good friend Gene, the faith the Administration and Board has placed on me, and the hope to continue educating in a positive light.
Now I can mold minds from a position of authority.
Well, that and do a ton of paperwork. Gene spends countless hours just keeping tabs on department finances and sifting through the mishmash of memos and deadlines. Gene's wife came by my room the other day and I commented how much I "hated the paperwork." She laughed and said "Oh Eric, it has only just begun for you." I almost felt that a nervous relief accompanied her manical giggles--which caused me to worry.
Next year, I will have the opportunity to conduct meetings that present information from the administration—which is not too bad, except I was always a jerk at such meetings when I was one with the rabble. Karma is a bitch, I suppose.
I will also act as a liaison between the Administration and the Department Members when there is a problem. The trick is to defend your department member while enforcing the integrity of the Administration. This is usually only a problem when the department members are new—oh, every member of the department is non-tenured having maximum of three years of experience in the district at this point, with the exception of me. Hence the definition of "new" and of a "problem."
Well the Administration and Board finally achieved what they wanted—they forced me to grow up.
In all seriousness, this should be fun and challenging. I am also quite appreciative in my good friend Gene, the faith the Administration and Board has placed on me, and the hope to continue educating in a positive light.
posted by Eric Sweetwood at 9:21 PM
3 Comments:
Congratulations!
You will do a fine job as department chair. Yes, there is a lot of paperwork, but if you devise a system and stick to it, you won't be so terribly bogged down.
Gene can now go into retirement knowing that the department is in good hands.
Lou
Yeah Boychick.
Congrats. It's about time one of us grew up and started getting a little more responsible...heh...
Keith
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