Last Class?

I taught my last class today at the school where I served for 18 years. It was surreal and strange. (Well, it was summer school, so that might have had something to do with it.) My run lasted longer than I expected, but then, what differences have our expectations ever made on our outcomes? My eldest daughter was born the year that I started on this campus; she graduated last month. I think the timing is rather poetic.

The first year that I worked there my classroom was down the hall from a teacher who taught the same subject in the same classroom for his entire career (35 years). I asked him if he ever felt the desire to change. He said no. He said he felt content. He liked his job, he liked his classroom, and he liked his students. So why make a change? I feel the same way about the job I just finished. So why did I make a change?

I tell people it was because of my desire to help my own children (I have six), two of which are now in college. I want to help them and my oldest son with their college debt. I also want to do a better job of preparing financially for my youngest three to attend college, many years from now. When I talk to people I share about the value of growth, and the desire to do something different, to “change it up.”

But the bottom line is that, just like Walter White, I did it for me. And I’m proud to be moving on, and moving up. My new assignment is a big step up, and will be a real challenge. I’ll still be working in public education, but at a new campus in a new town in a brand new position where I have no history of accomplishment, no familiar colleagues, and no idea what to expect. Awesome fun!

This is all happening faster than I expected it to, and not without some trials. I will be commuting about an hour each way, my days will be longer, and I will not see my children and wife nearly as much. Hopefully that will be temporary. While I could never have predicted the circumstances that brought me here, I look forward to the unpredictability of this new challenge and all of the opportunity it will provide.

Administrative Qualifications?

Before launching my teaching career, I spent five years working in Hyde Park, South Central Los Angeles. My father bought an established wholesale barbeque rib business where I worked in sales and delivery. It was an amazing experience in diversity. All of our employees spoke Spanish, and most of our customers were from West LA. Koreans and African Americans owned most of the surrounding businesses. When the riot broke out in 1992, our shop was looted, but not burned down. I believe the business was saved because of the excellent relationship we established with our neighbors.

That was my “day job” while I worked on television and commercial production on the weekends. Production work is high-energy and complex. It requires excellent time-management skills. I learned how to create and keep a tight schedule, and how to complete tasks with precision. For example, I was once given three hours to find, purchase, and transport a size 54 orange jumpsuit (without the benefits of the Internet). I delivered the costume on time. I understand working under the pressure of a deadline, and the importance of accuracy.

In my first two years of teaching drama in middle school, I directed a group of traveling actors knows as Mime and Madness. Next, I brought my production experience with me to Redlands High School. I was asked to create a new media arts program. Today, the students in this program use technology to create their own short films and animation projects. They send their projects to competitive student film festivals. The "Digital Dogz" won top awards in the PAH (Project Accessible Hollywood) Festival sponsored by Christopher Coppola; the Inland Empire Media Academy Film Festival at San Bernardino Valley College; and the SLATE Short Film Festival.

In addition, I advised the RHS Associated Student Body while teaching Student Government and Leadership for two years. I also advised a service club of students who built houses for needy families in Mexico with the Hands of Mercy organization.

Administrative Application?

I am deep into the administrative application process. I have answered essay questions, listed my references, and uploaded my transcripts many, many times so far. My goal is to apply to 12 districts in 6 states before April 1. I’ve finished 6 applications for 9 jobs, so I’m well on my way. Each application process is a little bit different. Sometimes I luck out and can import my basic data from other applications or profiles. Most of the times I have to start from scratch. I’m glad that there is a vetting process; I just wish it wasn’t so repetitive.

Each time I respond to an essay question, or write out my personal statement, I feel compelled to answer the prompt, and I do. But I always feel like I’m leaving something out. How do I share my passion for education in 300 words or less? I’ve written 150 so far right here! I’ve published over 100 essays and articles and even a book. How do I zip everything I love about teaching and learning into a one-shot essay that is scanned next to a pool of other applicants? How do I stand out and share what I’m all about?

Let me try:

I am an educator. I teach people how to learn. When I work with a student in a classroom on an assignment, I serve as an instrument that actively changes their life. Their life! I guide and shape and mold and lead and engage and push my students to grow not only in their relationship to the subject matter, but also as people who will change the world. There is no better, more rewarding, or more exciting job on the planet. (Well, maybe obstetrician.) But a doctor only passes the ball; teachers take it to the house.

I make a daily effort to improve the people in my family, my classroom, and other areas of my life. I focus on being a positive force that encourages people by showing them how smart, capable and able they are to do anything they choose. I firmly believe that we are all unique creations gifted with talent and purpose. I think many people miss that. We all need someone to challenge us so that we can discover for ourselves just how powerful and successful we can be. That’s what educators do for their students each and everyday in the classroom.

I want to be an administrator so that I can encourage not only the students in one classroom, but also all the students on campus, along with all of the teachers, support staff, parents, volunteers, walk-on coaches, and anyone else involved. Imagine a campus where collaboration was a fundamental strategy for instruction. The whole staff working together to improve the lives of all of the students. Student success in the classroom was contagious and continued throughout their lives after commencement. It’s possible. It’s what’s best for kids. We can do it all together. I am so ready to get started!

Open Cover Letter

Every human being is unique and significant. I believe in the value, ability, and potential of each student, teacher, and advocate on campus. We all have abilities and talents ready to be discovered and developed through education.

I launched my teaching career at Royal Oak Middle School teaching drama. Next, I served for 17 years working with students as a teacher at Redlands High School. I taught a Perkins approved Arts Media and Entertainment Program of Study in Media Arts. In addition, I designed the curriculum for the entire media arts program.

While at Redlands High School I also taught English 9-12 and Screenwriting as Literature. I served as the Career Technical Education Department Chair, and was an active member of the leadership team through two WASC accreditation cycles. At the University of Redlands, I taught a variety of courses in the Preliminary Teacher Credential Program.

My goal is to share my enthusiasm for education. I want to support schools that are safety-zones for learning where students, teachers, administrators, and community members collaborate to achieve excellence in academics and activities. Together, we will excel at preparing students for college, career, and life.

Administrative Experience

This is a version of the final writing assignment from my completed administrative program.

Professional Gains

Insight
The time I spent with the high school principal  and  middle school principal shined a bright light on the function of public school administration. They invited me into their offices and escorted me through a world of challenges and support opportunities at multiple levels. My ideal of administration received a reality check. Now I feel prepared and enlightened. I am ready to turn the page and open the next chapter of my career in education.

Leadership Learning

Build relationships
The Superintendent emphasized the importance of working with all stakeholders from all groups. She stressed the value of communication with and gathering support from all individuals involved in education at the local level. I learned the value of successful communication in diverse settings.

Solve Problems
She also explained that 95% of her job was solving problems that she didn’t know existed until she faced them. Both principals echoed her statement. I learned that effective administrators respond to the wide range of needs both expressed and sometimes unknown by those they support.

Think Innovatively
I learned the importance of staying current on research, and thinking “outside of the box.” It is crucial that the educational leader be well prepared to build the essential relationships and solve the emerging problems they encounter. The principal can’t have all of the answers. What they can have is a strategy to marshal the required resources to guide their campus towards success.

Impact

Improved Instruction
My two highest rated assets on the LCAS survey were, “Helps people develop their abilities,” and, “Encourages new ideas.” I believe that the impact of applying these two assets to my work improved the quality of classroom instruction. Working with CTE department teachers, I promoted the development of new curriculum aligned to the CCSS. I also advised and provided individual guidance to these teachers that helped improve their pedagogy. In addition, I built the foundations for new programs that help students develop their talents and encouraged them to express new ideas.

Evolving Attitudes
My two highest rated opportunities for growth were, “Manages conflict skillfully,” and, “Confronts others skillfully.” I developed these two areas by building improved relationships with administrators and other teachers. I changed my approach to many educational issues from individualism to collectivism. I believe that the impact of these changes elevated my personal maturity and educational acumen. As a result, I was more effective in my leadership roles in school programs.

Strengthened Leadership
My personal strengths themes included: Input, Connectedness, Learner, Achiever, and Arranger. I believe the impact of my strength themes on the school programs was to complement the administrative team. Working throughout the program in a quasi-administrative intern-like role, I was able to contribute to the efforts of the administrative team by taking on projects that supported their leadership agenda. Serving as a teacher-liaison, I was able to effectively bridge the gap and make connections between teachers and administrators. I was also able to provide input and feedback from my unique perspective as a veteran teacher pursing an administrative position.