I’ve been considering some different questions regarding how a person’s talents are used and/or abused in various settings. I personally get frustrated a lot when my work overuses my talents. It’s like, when you’re the art teacher you are expected to make posters (because apparently when you’re an artist, you’re also a postermaker), manage art contests, and all that other expected stuff. But, I’ve also been pulled into set design because I have experience with that. And, now I’ve been having to emcee stuff and now do a thing for the school talent show. And, it’s those weird situations where it’s not really appropriate for you to say no because “who else would do it” or “you’re perfect for it” or “we supported you, so you support us” or whatever else the argument is.
But, I’m starting to get sick of it. It takes a lot of energy to do all that stuff. But, when I tell people no, they get this attitude with me like I owe it to them to invest another several hours in my work “for the sake of the children.” Because you should never say no when it’s for children. I look at other teachers and think they never get asked to do anything extra. So, I feel stuck a lot. Either I reveal my talents to people and get the life sucked out of me, or I tiptoe through life playing down my abilities in hopes that no one asks me to do anything. I haven’t figured out how to balance it all yet.
Do you think it would be wrong for me to ask the school to pay me extra when I emcee an event? I’m sure most teachers would say no, that it’s during the workday and blah blah. But…I’m a professionally trained actress and it takes extra time outside of the workday to organize and plan this stuff. They choose me because of my acting ability & training, not because I’m part of some rotation or whatever. I’m not compensated for the extra time I put in, other than the warm fuzzy feeling that I’m doing something great for the children. I’m not trying to sound hoochie or anything…it’s just that I have things that I do outside of my job that are also important to me.
Sorry for the vent. I’ve just been way too overworked this semester.
StephLewisBlog
There are a few practical problems here. First off, where does the school get the extra money to pay teachers to do things outside “the norm”? (Yes, probably from the salaries of the district board, but… you know…)
Secondly, someone would have to define what that norm is, and what it isn’t, so that people would only be paid for the things for which they actually deserved pay.
Thirdly, are you suggesting that you should only be paid because you, in particular, are so specially trained in these areas? If a teacher less-talented than you are were to do it, would you suggest that they not be paid, or be paid less? If that’s the case, who determines how much your services are worth?
It sounds to me like you’re asking that schools become more like businesses.
Steph, basically you asking for money to do things like that would be a sarcastic statement on your part to them, I’m sure. School’s never have money, even for the things that need to be done. One of the books that the COMP department at UMD puts out at UMD is in bad need of revising, but it doesn’t happen, as no one will get paid or get publishing credit for revising the book. Extremely stupid. But all the same, schools rarely have perks for doing extra work (as Josh said, they only would if they were more like a business).
I think you just have to learn to say no. Not necessarily to everything, just to some things. You should make use of all the talents you can offer your school, but not at the expense of your life, to keep up the quality of your teaching, etc. You’ve told me before that you often advise new teachers not to give themselves so many things to do every night. Same goes for you with all this extra stuff.
If the askee doesn’t understand why you said no to emceeing or something after you tell them you’re far too busy right now, who cares? If they’re so concerned about it, they should be ponying up themselves. So yeah, make use of your talents and help out, but you have to be willing to say no. Reasonable people will understand when you can’t.
Well, learnign to say no is one thing. understanding that no one else can do the job is another. And getting tired of always be the one to be asked to do this beacuse of extra talents is a third.
A good option is to acccept to emcee but only if you get help from other teachers as well.
So you can delegate some of the tasks to others who never get asked: should achieve two things.
1) Get the entire teaching staff to realize it takes hours of effort to do this. And hopefully more support ans understanding that this can just happen.
2) Get you to spend less time on this project
3) Get the work done in better conditions (you=less stress, anger -which could lead to the Dark Side) and others= get involved as well, feel good/helping hand, realize how time consuming it is.
Get the ball rolling on collaboration when asked for these projects: “Sure I’d be glad to help, but I’ll need 2 more people for this and that”.
Arno
All good thoughts. The issue I’m having is when you get assigned to do things continually. Like, your boss always has you do the extra things because you’re *great* at it compared to others. And if you don’t do it, it’s considered insubordination. But, there is inequality regarding who is getting assigned what. Because the talented people always get assigned. In the business world, a raise or promotion would come with this so people generally consider it a good thing. But, in the educational world, it’s just more work. It’s frustrating to be making a lower salary but doing significantly more work.
First I want to state that in general I am not a pro-union type of person. However, the first question I have for you is: Does California and your district specifically have a strong union? That is the group that (as Josh said) defines what the norm is. It is also the group that would stand behind you to say “Either I get compensated in some way or this is a no go.”
Second question: Are you tenured? Do they do that in CA? If the answer is yes than you truly have nothing to lose. They cannot fire you for refusing to do EXTRA things.
Third comment: It can all be in the way you say no. If you simply say “No, I am not available.” Then the asker has nothing to argue with. They are only playing up to vanity to say that you are so wonderful and all that. Don’t let them use you that way. You do not need to explain to they why you can’t do it. It’s not part of your main job. If pressed simply say “I have too much on my plate the way it is. I cannot accept another responsibility.”
Fourth comment: I agree that the main thing to learn is to say no. Don’t sacrifice the important things, like Josh, sanity, private time; simply because you don’t want to put someone else out. You don’t have to carry their weight.
Perhaps this whole problem can be used for good by setting up a system in your district for which teachers get some compensation for extra work. And DON’T believe the “schools have no money” lie — there is always a way to get more money.
Sorry if this is harsh, I have just had a lot of friends get used by their schools lately and I can’t figure out why they/their unions don’t stand up for them and for the core of education (i.e. teaching actual classes).