Staffing Surprises and More Fun!

I've been very fortunate to work with excellent teachers in every school I've taught in. They've influenced the way I manage my classroom, develop lessons, and handle my workload. They've been people who could help me focus on my successes when all I could see were my failures. At the end of last week, I learned that my colleague, Mr. Riley, is going to be moving on to another job. Having gotten to know him over the last three years, I could understand why he felt compelled to find a school where he could work with a more diverse, less privileged group of students. They'll be better for his being there, and I think he will as well. Still, though, it wasn't the best news to receive when trying to plan for the coming school year.

from l to r: writer Daemond Arendell, Mr. Riley,
writer Colson Whitehead, and me

Now, the search is on for his replacement, and it looks like I'll be joining the interview team (assuming I can complete the required training tomorrow afternoon). I don't often jump at these opportunities, but I feel a responsibility to my school and my team. I also want to make sure we're getting the right fit. Mr. Riley is an excellent teacher and leader. He definitely got to know each of us on the team and our quirks, and was sensitive to those in our meetings. He also brought a lot of structure to his classroom and inspired his students to exceed their own expectations of themselves. There's a lot more that I admire and respect about Mr. Riley, and I could go on, but I won't, because I know that nobody we interview is going to be Mr. Riley (at least not the Mr. Riley - it is very possible that another Mr. Riley would apply). So tomorrow I'll be attempting to log on to an online training and follow along as I simultaneously attempt to occupy Chloe. 

Meanwhile, I've also been seeking out a rotation of qualified high school students to come during the week this fall and help Chloe (and hopefully a small pod of her friends) with school work. I used my most effective communication tool, Instagram, and put the word out.

Fortunately, I received several responses, and now get to schedule some interviews. Some of these kids have already shown great maturity and ability to communicate through their work in my class, while others have hopefully grown since I taught them. I'm doing my best to keep an open mind and hope to get a few kids who can commit to the job and get along with Chloe. I have no doubt that any one of them would have better luck getting her to do work than I do, so perhaps there isn't a wrong choice here.