Making Waves

On different occasions, I’ve jokingly said, “I just want to be a regular English teacher who teaches my content well, gets my scholars where they need to be, and quietly works in a corner without being bothered by anyone or anything.” For a moment, I thought I had things set up well to move as a regular and unbothered teacher… until I was approached by one of my administrators about taking on the role of our 8th grade English department’s PLC (professional learning community) Lead.  When I was asked to take on the role, initially I wanted to pass. I had no interest in leadership and knew that if I accepted, I’d no longer be able to work quietly in a corner without being bothered and having new requests and demands placed on me and my time. Because any and everyone who’s ever been in a leadership role can tell you that when you’re leading anything, people will almost always come to you (first) with requests, questions, and problems they’re seeking to have resolved, while sometimes faili