An Interesting Transition
Many teachers spend their entire career in the classroom, and they do not have any particular desire to add any administrative duties to their professional life. However, there are times when teachers become the chair of the department, either out of desire for leadership, or sometimes by default because no one else is willing or able to do it. The chairperson position is a different role for the teacher and they must keep a few things in mind when they take on this new challenge. Here are a few challenges and success tips for teachers who become department chairpersons.
Different organizational mindset
For some teachers, the biggest difference in terms of professional behavior is their organizational mindset. Despite the fact that teachers are theoretically supposed to have organized lesson plans, there are plenty of teachers who maintain a general atmosphere of "organized chaos." In other words, some teachers are not the most linear of thinkers. If teachers want to be chairs of the department, they may have to deal with schedules, curriculum, accreditation, agendas, and time lines. Therefore, they may need to shift their organizational style if they are going to accomplish the goals of the position.
Might miss things, might not
When people become department chairs, they may find themselves missing the days when they were "just" a teacher. They may wish that their responsibilities were still focused in the classroom, rather than being diverted to administrative aspects. Of course, they may also experience the opposite, and they may find that paperwork is less emotionally taxing than trying to inspire students all day long. The reality of teaching is that some people like the idea of being an educator, but over time the classroom can wear them down. Being a department chair may give them a view of what life might be like after teaching.
Split loyalties
Another thing to keep in mind is that being a department chair may result in some split loyalties. The rest of the teachers in the department may see the chairperson as their advocate to the administration. At the same time, the administration may see the chairperson as being the one who enforces the desires of the principal or superintendent. This can put the teacher/chairperson in awkward positions sometimes, because both parties may not particularly trust the other, and the chairperson may be caught in the middle. Therefore, the teacher must be ready to "play politics" and work to keep both sides happy if there are differences of opinion. Some teachers may even see the new chairperson as crossing over to the "dark side."
Remember what it is like...
Finally, the teacher that becomes a chairperson must do their best to remember what it was like when they were "just" a teacher. When people ascend to leadership positions, it is not unusual for them to forget or romanticize past positions. The teacher that becomes the chairperson may still be in the classroom, but their professional life will have changed somewhat, and they may not be able to "go back" to the way things were before.
Life is about to change
Overall, the best thing that a teacher can do when becoming a chairperson is to maintain a sense that things will change. They must remain flexible and realize that tasks, styles, and relationships may shift due to their new rule. If a teacher is hesitant about taking on this role, they should talk to other teachers who have made the switch and find out how their lives have changed, either for the better or for the worse. In addition, it always helps to have a mentor or a support group of people who can be a sounding board for concerns or questions. No transition is perfect, and becoming a chairperson may be a major step for some individuals. Therefore, it should be done with care, wisdom, and patience.
