Andrew has officially had his principal's license for about a year now. He always felt "someday" he'd make the jump to administration, but to be honest, I wasn't so sure. He is an absolutely fabulous teacher. I've always known that, but moving here has only cemented that thought. Whenever I meet someone, particularly a parent of a student Andrew has had (present or former) the parent almost always gushes about how much they think of Andrew and how much the student loved his class. He loves connecting with his students, and I'm always very proud of him. And to be further honest, I don't necessarily love a principal's schedule...especially the additional workdays in the summer.
About a month ago, Andrew ran into the superintendent at a function. She specifically asked him why he hadn't applied for administrative positions. He explained he'd only had his license a year and that none had been open in that time. She asked if he would apply if one were open and he responded he would. Shortly thereafter, the high school principal sought him out and asked if there were a middle school assistant opening, would he apply. He responded that he would consider it. We learned just a couple of days later that there indeed was going to be an opening. We did a lot of research and a lot of talking about it. The pay was only a marginal increase and it was an additional six weeks out of our summer, but I told Andrew I would completely support whatever decision he made...after all, he has been incredibly supportive of me being home and I would certainly be the same towards his career decisions. Andrew went in to let his principal know that he was applying and that central office would probably be calling the principal about him...and Andrew was informed they had already done so! I found this odd as he hadn't even applied yet. A day or so later Andrew ran into the HR guy who wanted to know if Andrew had put in his application and Andrew responded it would be in before the deadline. At this point, we were thinking that Andrew had to be in a good position with seemingly so much interest, and we began to discuss it more seriously. Andrew actually mentioned at one point that he hoped he wasn't offered the job so he didn't have to make the decision...which I pointed out to him sounded to me like he didn't really want it! I began to consider my life as a principal's wife, and I began to dread it. I knew there would be events that I would have to attend as his wife as well as other obligations that just didn't sound very fun...and I worried about what I'd wear, etc., etc. Andrew's interview was scheduled for yesterday with the HR guy (which we thought was odd as usually the first interview is with a principal and several teachers) and that's where I learned I am not cut out for this!
The HR guy actually opened the interview with the information that the middle school head principal insisted that they hire someone from the outside with experience, so basically this interview was nothing more than a courtesy interview. What the heck??? The one question they did specifically ask him was whether he would consider leaving the district without an administrative position. To be honest, the answer is yes and no. He absolutely would not consider leaving within the next couple of years, and he truly does like and enjoy his job. As the years get closer to Thomas graduating, he may consider going to a nearby district, and after Thomas graduates there is really nothing tying us here so we could look many places. I was pretty irritated by the "game playing" I felt had happened prior, and the fact that "real" applicants were granted interviews with the principal and internal "courtesy" interview were with the HR guy. I am just not into politics, and I think it all just stinks..and I don't even want him to have the administrative job! I am so grateful that Andrew didn't have his heart set on this working out, and that he has a job that he absolutely loves...but I definitely confirmed I am not cut out for the politics of administration!
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