The Road to Becoming Highly Qualified

I have invested in my professional growth. It is up to me to determine what kind of dividends will follow. The PSS has announced it cannot, due to severe budget cuts, reclassify certain employees or continue to adjust salaries for highly qualified staff. A few weeks ago I was ready to throw in the towel. The grass was turning brown on my end of the education lawn, and I felt that I could no longer rely in the system to pay me what I'm worth. I have since reconsidered my feelings. The question began with that very thought, "What am I worth?" If I decided to adhere to the requirements of my job, what were the motivating factors? I have decided they were either:

1. To satisfy the requirements so that I would be able to meet the salary scale for promotion.
2. To satisfy the requirements and bring the knowledge I obtained back to the school where it would be the most beneficial.

I realized that the PSS has also invested in me. It put its trust in my ability to make sound judgments about the quality of services we bring to our students. It asked me to do what I needed to in order to acquire the requisite knowledge incumbent of someone in my position. It also trusted that I would remain focused on the strategic priorities put before us. It is a mutual relationship, based on trust.

Now that I know compensation is nearly impossible, what will I do with my investment? I will continue to invite the powers that be, the legislature, the Board and the central office leadership to look at all options with scrutiny, keeping in mind equality for it's employees and validation for those who deserve it. If there is a way to compensate those deserving, including myself, without sacrificing those who do not have a voice, our children, then I plea with them to find it. If we must all suffer because there is no other viable option, then I request that no one is left behind.

I realize this is no easy task. I am also aware that there are critical eyes watching our every move, criticizing every step we make. They are asking what they need to sacrifice so that PSS goes untouched. It's not such a bad question. Some have asked why we should remain untouched. I do not begrudge them the thought.

Still, I am here and at the end of my road, having become NCLB approved and highly qualified. Not much is up to me anymore. I look to the powers that be and hope that they can see beyond budget cuts and continuing resolutions. Will I leave PSS? One day, when I, like everyone else reach my own level of incompetence. For now, there is much work to be done. It is work that cannot wait for boards to convene and policy to be drafted.

I commend everyone who has been vocal and continues to voice their concerns. We need to remedy some wrongs for more people than teachers and administrators. Our family is in need, this includes program managers, central office staff and support personnel PSS-wide. The critical dialogue cannot wait until inauguration.

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OR

Before you decide, think hard. What was so super about youth?
Glen might have a list for this somewhere.