Theater Education

I want to start by making one thing abundantly clear - I love my job. Not, my job is alright, but I could do better. No. I freaking love my job. I love the kids, the parents, the staff, the actual work I do each day. At least once a week I tell my students that I have the best job in the world, and I genuinely believe it.
Budget cuts in the arts combined with budget cuts in education make job security and stability as a drama teacher nonexistent.
Before I got my teaching credential, I wanted to work for an education component to a theater company. Then, I got my credential and decided I wanted to build a drama program at a school. I've met that challenge, conquered that goal. All along, I've known I want to do the same for a theater company. Not just work for the education branch, but start one. Now that my job is in jeopardy, I am excited to start reaching out to small theater companies in the area. I can't believe how truly pumped I am! Who knew looking for a job could be such a wonderful feeling?
Now I get to update my resume and get a solid cover letter going. That's right, I get to!
Wish me luck on this adventure. Don't worry. Just because I am looking forward to this new opportunity doesn't mean I will be putting any less into my current position. The school year is almost over, and there is still so much more I want to teach my students! I will make sure they get the best Mrs. Bizzle possible. In fact, I think the excitement I feel about this new chapter will only make me a more enthusiastic and passionate teacher.

Spring Break

It is Spring Break and I think about work a lot! More than I'd like to. I can't help but think about my classes and what we will be doing next. Or about my job standing for next year. Budget cuts are a remarkably scary thing for all teachers - especially those without tenure and who work in the arts.

Getting Tenure

This is my third year teaching in a truly wonderful district at a school that is an absolute perfect fit. My supervisor tells me that next year should be my tenure year. It's frustrating because another teacher who started at the same time as me and has the same credential as me was moved to the tenure track this year. When I asked questions at the district office as to why she was moved and I wasn't, I was told someone made a mistake. That's fine, but the security of tenure sure would be nice. Not only that, but I am constantly taking on more roles at school. I am on the RTI team, I do literacy, I've added some lunch time activities, and am even a presenter at our staff meetings. These are all things I want to do, so don't want to sound like I'm complaining. The problem is that I'm the only teacher being asked to jump through these extra hoops to receive tenure. I'm noticing other teachers get permanent status and they only teach. My supervisor has decided that I need to be a leader at my school, that I need to do all sorts of extra-curricular activities, and even be a leader in terms of drama teachers in the district! This feels overwhelming and strange. I would think my focus right now should be on being the very best drama teacher I can be, so that when I do get tenure they know they've made the right decision. Am I looking at this all wrong?