On the opening day, we attempted a 50-50 raffle to benefit the SPTA scholarship fund. The pot hasn't really hit that critical mass that would be sweet to win, so we're extending the entry deadline.
I'd also like to appoint a scholarship committee to raise some funds and (more importantly) read the applications. The committee exists according to the by-laws, but was formed on an ad hoc basis to read applications last May. I think something more formal should probably be in place. Anyone willing to volunteer should email me at majorto@spsd.org.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
What I meant to I say...
If you're wondering what the heck I was talking about on the opening day of the school year, or just plain couldn't hear me, below is a quick summary of what I hoped to communicate. In brief, I was reflecting on my summer job experience and its relevance to the work I do for SPSD.
1. Teaching is hard work, but retail is damn tough too. So are a lot of other jobs out there. Hard working parents have a right to expect that I will work hard to prepare their kids for a tough, competitive economy. I do work hard, and so do my colleagues, but that is only right considering how hard the rest of the folks in our community are working.
2. I have really learned to appreciate the autonomy I have in my job. Having been told not to start working before my shift, nor to stay after my shift, nor to return to lunch before the hour is elapsed (irrespective of how little time it takes me to eat), I am glad to return to an environment where I have some influence over the duration and pace of my labor. Yeah, I am governed by the bell schedule, but at least I don't have to worry about punching in too early.
3. Data driven? Forgetaboutit! How about opening every day with the previous day's numbers with reminders about the ratio targets. [How many customers? How many sales? Average expenditure per sale? How many credit card applications? ] We've got a couple of high stakes exams we respond to (MEA & NWEA) but at least we aren't opening every day with a report on the previous day's statistical indicators.
If I sound ungrateful for the job, then I am not being clear. I appreciate the opportunity not only to supplement my income, but also for what it taught me about retail. I picked up some valuable, concrete declarative and procedural knowledge about retail and warehouse operations (that's right, Steve Bailey, I still talk about declarative and procedural knowledge even if it does date me circa 1992).
More importantly, I feel a new sense of dedication to the old Roman virtue of Industria, the notion of hard work. Imparting this sense of hard work to my students must surely rank high among my goals for the year.
1. Teaching is hard work, but retail is damn tough too. So are a lot of other jobs out there. Hard working parents have a right to expect that I will work hard to prepare their kids for a tough, competitive economy. I do work hard, and so do my colleagues, but that is only right considering how hard the rest of the folks in our community are working.
2. I have really learned to appreciate the autonomy I have in my job. Having been told not to start working before my shift, nor to stay after my shift, nor to return to lunch before the hour is elapsed (irrespective of how little time it takes me to eat), I am glad to return to an environment where I have some influence over the duration and pace of my labor. Yeah, I am governed by the bell schedule, but at least I don't have to worry about punching in too early.
3. Data driven? Forgetaboutit! How about opening every day with the previous day's numbers with reminders about the ratio targets. [How many customers? How many sales? Average expenditure per sale? How many credit card applications? ] We've got a couple of high stakes exams we respond to (MEA & NWEA) but at least we aren't opening every day with a report on the previous day's statistical indicators.
If I sound ungrateful for the job, then I am not being clear. I appreciate the opportunity not only to supplement my income, but also for what it taught me about retail. I picked up some valuable, concrete declarative and procedural knowledge about retail and warehouse operations (that's right, Steve Bailey, I still talk about declarative and procedural knowledge even if it does date me circa 1992).
More importantly, I feel a new sense of dedication to the old Roman virtue of Industria, the notion of hard work. Imparting this sense of hard work to my students must surely rank high among my goals for the year.
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