Should I Stay or Should I Go?

(This post started out as a monologue regarding the decision between staying in the classroom and stepping into other positions in education. Then, as I was revising a section, I realized it had become something slightly different.)

There is a serious problem with the education system and it involves the teachers. I'm sure this is not the first time you have heard this statement, but this argument has a slightly different twist.

The problem, as I see it, is that many teachers are beginning to believe the hype that the best-- the most creative, the most dynamic, the most intelligent-- should be doing something more valuable, more profitable, more grown up than working with kids in a classroom. Whether it's becoming a principal, director of special education, tech specialist, or whatever position seems a match for the individual's skills, many believe the best teachers should be looking to move up or move out. (This seems to be especially true in elementary schools, as I have had multiple people tell me--some subtly, some not so much--that I am wasting my talents being an elementary school teacher.)

Now, this post is not a criticism of the educators who believe their real value can only be reached by leaving the classroom. It is, however, a condemnation of the system and society where such a belief can have so much validity.

With time, the best have to step aside. This is not in debate. The problem in education is that many of the most promising educators are leaving before they've even had a chance to reach their prime. Imagine Michael Jordan retiring from basketball after his first championship, The Beatles breaking up after "Please Please Me", or Gabriel Garcia Marquez leaving writing after "Leaf Storm". Although there would have been some level of success for each of these individuals, their various professions would be drastically less advanced.

Of course, it's hard to be surprised when talented individuals want to maximum the benefits of their skills, while minimizing the stresses in their lives. And, when you combine the absurd expectations politicians are forcing upon educators with the disdain society currently seems to have for public classroom teachers, who can blame anyone from wanting to get out of the line of fire?

Here's the idea that the average person doesn't seem to be aware of: education is failing, and it won't improve if the best teachers don't stay in the classroom.

So, the questions are posed: What must be done to keep the best teachers in the classroom? Will anyone step up to make this happen?

Re-Capturing My Love for the Classroom

Welcome to the very first post of Mr. Allen's Learning!

A couple months ago, while out on a hike with my wife and sons, I made a professional realization. Watching my sons playing sparked a now-forgotten thought about children and their learning.

As often happens, this original thought brought on a few others. The next thing I knew, I was thinking about how far away I had gotten from my goal to bring powerful, real-world learning opportunities to my students. I realized my focus on learning about technology and sharing this knowledge had taken my focus away from my classroom and the children that make that room special.

At some point, I fell in lust with becoming a tech integration specialist. Playing with technology was so much less stressful than the responsibilities that come with working with children, there were so many more opportunities for my future, and it came with so many chances to earn more money. (To say I'm ashamed to admit to this is more than an understatement!)

Just recently, some opportunities, successes, and struggles have reminded me of my love for teaching and just how crazy I was for considering leaving the classroom. Then, just this week, I had some experiences that really drove this point home. Learning with students is so much more fulfilling than finding the next tool, I get to introduce and explore technology with my students in a way that makes a real difference to them, and I get to build meaningful relationships that might change someone's existence.

My goal, as an educator, is to combine my knowledge of technology and my passion for teaching and connecting with students to create the most powerful learning opportunities for my students. As I make progress with this, I'd like to share some of the more powerful experiences and ideas that come from my class.

Although this blog is about me as an educator and the events that occur in my classroom, my topics will come from all of my roles in life: husband, father, friend, elementary school teacher, colleague, wannabe geek, people watcher, teacher educator, student, and human being.

My reason for wanting to share this blog is to inspire other classroom teachers to see the endless potential of technology combined with creativity, to remember that, above all, relationships and learning are what matters, and to stay in the classroom.