Unfinished Business

Like most careers, teaching is a marathon, not a sprint. While the initial enthusiasm is critical, it's the long term dedication that truly shapes lives. Our employees with 16-20 years of experience were asked, what remains unfinished in your career? In Hudson, we have a remarkable group of teachers that continue to find immense satisfaction in their work. One teacher said, "I do love working and living in the community"! Let's take a deeper look at some of the reasons they remain so passionate about education. 

After 20 years, many of these veterans are quick to note their teaching craft continues to evolve. They are constantly growing and changing how they deliver instruction to meet the needs of an ever changing and more diverse population of students. With experience comes a deeper understanding of curriculum development, teaching methodologies, and student needs. They relish the challenge of adapting their skills to keep pace with changing educational trends and technology advancements. This continuous learning process ensures their approach remains fresh and relevant for each new class they encounter. There is a clear recognition the job is never finished and that things will always need to be done, but that this group has what it takes!

Beyond the technical aspects, the human connection remains a cornerstone of their motivation. Many teachers comment about how proud and fulfilling it has been to develop relationships with these students across the district. Witnessing the remarkable journey of students as they develop into confident young adults is a privilege they deeply cherish.  They find immense joy in nurturing a student's curiosity, building their confidence, and witnessing the moment they grasp a previously difficult concept. The transformative power of education keeps them emotionally invested in their students' success.

However, the path isn't without its hurdles. Teachers with this level of experience often acknowledge the daily challenges as opportunities for growth. Whether it's crafting engaging lessons for diverse learners, navigating complex classroom dynamics, or collaborating with parents, they view these challenges as a chance to refine their skills and make a lasting impact. The ability to overcome obstacles and find innovative solutions fuels their sense of accomplishment. Indeed, there is a deep recognition that as our community grows, so too will the needs of our students. At the same time, there is an admission the incorporation of technology into the learning environment will continue to evolve. Learning how to navigate this environment in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) is and additional challenged faced by veteran educators.

The supportive network within the school community is another vital source of strength for these veteran educators. Years of working alongside colleagues fosters a deep sense of camaraderie. Sharing best practices, offering support during difficult situations, and celebrating successes together creates a positive work environment that fosters continued commitment to the profession.

Finally, these seasoned educators often emphasize the unique and unpredictable nature of each day. No two classes or students are ever exactly alike. This inherent variety keeps their work dynamic and prevents stagnation. They relish the unexpected moments, the spontaneous questions, and the chance to connect with students on a personal level, ensuring their profession remains intellectually stimulating and emotionally rewarding.

The dedication and passion of these long-term educators are an inspiration to all. Their commitment to continuous learning, fostering student growth, navigating challenges with grace, and valuing collaboration creates a foundation for success that benefits both students and the entire school community.

Time to Pivot

Today I want to offer encouragement to my 260 colleagues around the state who sit is the same seat as me. This legislative biennium has been one for the record books. There is no doubt the policies that have been enacted over the course of the last two years will have far reaching consequences. While we are already beginning to see the ramifications of these decisions, I suspect in the coming years our work will become even more challenging as the full weight of these laws become more pronounced. In months and years ahead, our communities will look to us for a steady hand on the tiller. They are lucky to have you at the helm. 

We are a little less that two weeks from the [presumed] end of the legislative session. Thank goodness! With the final passage of the AEA reform bill, it appears [I hope] that major educational policy for the session is complete. Granted, with a couple weeks remaining before 'sine die' anything can happen. I would be remiss if I didn't point out there are still a few landmines lurking just below the surface that may reemerge as amendments to other bills navigating their way through the law-making process. This legislative session has been especially stressful for many education stakeholders, especially our colleagues from the Area Education Agencies. Truth be told, each general assembly seems to bring about feelings of dread for the public school community. At least it does for me. It appears as though education is always being 'reformed' whether it needs to be or not. Oftentimes those who are pushing for the reforming aren't doing a lot of listening or talking to those who will be responsible for executing the policy once enacted. 

In my earlier days as a superintendent, my frustration during the legislative session was palatable. I spent a lot of time in Des Moines, advocating, arguing, and being a thorn in the side of our legislators. (I'm sure many of the would agree.) The side effects of which made me irritable, caused difficulty sleeping, and generally put me a in bad mood. So in the last couple of years I have come to realize that, YES the advocacy is important....but! At the end of the day, if we don't speak up then we can't complain when legislation goes sideways. Yet in the final analysis, while we may have moved the needle ever so slightly; it still comes down to one thing: politics. Understanding this and controlling the variables that can be controlled will help you sleep better and easier to be around.

This doesn't mean we should give up and throw in the towel. Far from it. Rather, it means we need to temper our expectations. Doing so will make us healthier and better leaders. Our communities will better served if we do so. Difficult decisions are on the horizon for many and you/we need to be at our best. In fact, some of you are already in the throes of budget cuts and building closures. I have been in your shoes and empathize with the position you are in. I encourage you to stay strong, and to provide detailed facts with supporting evidence when making your recommendations. In most cases, the decisions that are being debated are the result of many factors and policies. It would be wise to illustrate the cascading effect of the many variables that led to the place we now find ourselves. It is important to help our communities understand the nuance. To paint with too broad of a brush, or to point to one single change in policy risks credibility. Yes, it is complicated and multi-faceted. But our community members can handle it. 

At the same time we must turn the page. Most of us did not ask for, nor advocate for many of these policies. But the time for making our argument has past. It is time for a pivot to enactment. Our politicians can now help us by providing the details we need to carry out the law. We are all aware what the key components of this new legislation entail. What is unclear is exactly what all this means. 

And finally, we need to take the win. There was a lot we didn't get out of this session. But we did get a new and sustainable revenue source that will boost teacher wages. We have all lamented the shallow talent pool that haunts us during hiring season. It's April, and we are scrambling to find teachers. The new money to boost teacher salaries won't totally solve the problem, but it will help. That my friends is a big deal.