Wednesday, September 19, 2012
What is the balance in the director role?
Directors are typically responsible for a preschool or childcare
center's administrative duties. This often includes managing staff, as well as
handling and establishing the center's goals, curriculum and daily routine.
They also meet with prospective children and their families, and make sure the
center and its staff meets required licensing regulations and safety standards.
Personally, I feel like directors have a lot on their hands. I don’t even know
how my life would be if I become a director. I might experience lack of sleep
or something of that sort. I believe that if we get into the point that we
understand all the process of what we are doing and why we are doing it I think
it would be easier to get through these duties. However, we have to maintain an
understanding towards other people in our workplace such as staff, families and
children. It is really hard to work with a lot of people at one time because as
we know different people have different idea and would lead to conflict. So, it
is up to the director to maintain control so things won’t get out of hand. How
can a director balance all of these roles? Is it possible that a director
focuses more on one responsibility than others? What is the best way a director
can balance his/her duties? According to “The Visionary Director” the image of
a triangle to represent the framework that they believe that each side of
everyone management work is of equal importance. These are 3 side of the
framework: 1. Managing and overseeing. 2. Coaching and mentoring. 3. Building
and supporting community. A good director must possess all of these skills and
implement them in real life work.
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Hi Yardsom,
ReplyDeleteI think it is very interesting that many of your classmates had the same view of director -- being a director is an overwhelming position, almost impossible. I wonder if this perception is based on the traditional conception of a director and how a director often positions teachers in the workplace. As a teacher, how might you construct the role of the director? How might the triangle provide a frame for you to define the role of the director?
Jeanne
Hi Yardsom,
ReplyDeleteI too see a director as Jeanne says "almost impossible." As a teacher I find myself struggling to balance work and home life I wonder how a director does it all. Each director must learn how to balance it all. I like that you mentioned the triangle because a director must keep and eye on their workers and insure that they are up to par but also support their co - workers and community.
Aloha Yardsom,
ReplyDeleteI’ve realized that some of us in this class have the same view about being a director. How can we use the triangle to help us view the role of director differently? What are teachers for, in relation to a director? What are the roles of the director in the context of the teacher, children and families? How do teachers and directors facilitate and support children’s learning in a chaotic and problematic environment/program? How can love and care for teaching and directing be used to foster an environment of mutual respect? How do directors provide a role model of genuine interest in facilitating the growth of the children in their program?
Hey Yhardsom,
ReplyDeleteYou asked some great questions in your post. I definitely agree with you on how directors have so much on their shoulders and so much work to do and to get done. I would not want to be a director of a large preschool, mainly because their would just be no time on my hands for a personal life. When I look at my director, I don't know how she is able to keep a personal life with her husband and children, because she is always at work from early morning to late at night and she is taking phone calls on Sunday from teachers that may be out and contacting subs to let them know their hours. So much to do!!! I always give my director credit with what she does, because it is a very hard job. I think if a director has worked as a teacher prior to their head position, it would make it a lot easier to understand what to expect and balance all the roles that come with it. I think the best way to balance the roles is have everything organized in the workload and keep designated times for certain duties during the day.
Hi Som,
ReplyDeleteI have been reading everyone's comments and it seems that being a director to most is an overwhelming position. At first I felt the same way, but it was due to lack of experience. As time went on, I found ways to find my own balance. There have been days like in the book, were I'm drinving into work with all these great thoughts of what I plan to do with the day is going on in my head, but as soon as you walk through the door of the center, it's a different story. I have to deal with the hole to fill with subs because people called out, the leaking pipe in the playground and all the every day realities of school life.
It's true a director's day of work goes way past the hours or operation, but a balanced director will find the time to say stop and go home. I have to remind my self that tomorrow is another day and I have to go home and be a mom. Is there a day when what I am thinking about doing on my drive to work will actually become reality? Who will help me be balanced or is that something from within myself?
Hello Yhardsom,
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the three sides of the framework: (1.) managing and overseeing (2.) coaching and mentoring (3.) building and supporting community are qualities that a good director must have. A good director should know how to assign positions to individuals that have experience in their position or are willing to learn what it takes to meet the qualifications of the position that they are being hired for. A good director should be able to manage their time wisely so that they can oversee their program. Good directors are “hands-on” and make time in their busy schedule to spend so much assigned time, observing their “program”. A good director should be able to not take it personally when others try to critique their employees. A good director should be able to have great social skills so they are able mentor and coach their employees when needed. A good director should also keep their community in mind by being supportive as to what their community needs and knowing what they are capable of doing to help their community.
I know of a student with special needs and requires a teacher with a lot of experience and skills. The “director” fired his teacher because he would do what was right for the student (the teacher would go the extra mile to help this student, service this student off the clock, voice his opinion about the student’s needs, etc.) and hired a teacher that just graduated from college with her degree and still does not have all the qualifications needed to become this student’s new teacher. Because this teacher is new and does not have any experience, the student’s family gives her advice and constructive criticism and the new teacher feels she doesn’t need to follow the student’s plans. The teacher is currently accusing the family of harassment and the “director” is actually listening to these accusations and is trying to deny the family their rights to voice their concerns.
I thought your post was very simple and included important details. I also thought the part of your personal feeling on how you would feel if you became a director was funny. (“I might experience lack of sleep or something of that sort.”) : ) Thank you for sharing and allowing me to comment on your blog.
Hi Som,
ReplyDeleteDo you think it’s normal for program directors to questions why they do what they do at some point or another? Chapter 2 gave a very bleak outlook on the roller coaster of emotions that most program directors seem to encounter along their journey, why do you think most people in our field strive to get to that position despite knowing these challenges? From most of my observations and meetings with program directors, I have a very different view of the challenges and emotions that program directors face – most do not feel overwhelmed or burned out but greatly enjoy their positions instead. What separates these two types of directors?