I went from full-time IT support staff to part-time IT faculty support
and part-time teaching. Then I became Academic Tech Coordinator (all
over a 10-year span). My primary responsibilities are to support
labs/classrooms and to work with teachers on technology integration,
research, and specific on-the-spot support. I never regretted making
this change and it was a step up for me, coming from support. In my
12-month position, I am both faculty and staff (one of 2 people here
with that status), although my salary and benefits structure comes more
out of my first staff role (as does my job security, because it is not
enrollment-dependent). I get enough vacation time now such that I can
take a number of weeks off in summer and during breaks, but I would LOVE
to have the whole summer and breaks off instead of running around
rushing on IT projects and being tired to start the term every
trimester, especially now that I am teaching more. If you have the
option of 9, 10 or 11 months, I would grab it now, as you're unlikely to
get it after you are working 12 months.
As for department structure, over me I have a CIO and a director and am
positioned at the level of the other area managers in ITS. And I also
report to the dean of faculty in my teaching role. This position is
much more flexible in schedule and diversity of work than my IT-only
role, but straddling the two worlds of faculty and staff has its
challenges too. I love the interaction with teachers and students that
this position affords me because it makes it easier to remember why we
work so hard. My department recognizes that unique perspective and
tolerates my teaching in exchange. Sometimes the IT-only positions are
so isolated that we might even forget that we're working at a school. I
never have that problem. And I love the kids. They keep you learning
and laughing every day. I also do dorm duty one night a week in a
girls' dorm and one weekend a month, which is great for broadening your
perspective. =20
Bottom line: if the classroom is calling you, answer! Perhaps your
school will allow you to carve out your own niche that makes sense for
them and for you and is also livable. And there are always IT jobs if
it doesn't work out. Good luck. :)
Best, Vi
____________________________________
Vi Richter
Academic Technology Coordinator
Information Technology Services
Phillips Exeter Academy
20 Main Street
Exeter, NH 03833
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Jane Baker
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 1:21 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Thoughts on Job Switch?
Hello Colleagues,
I am wondering if any of you have wrestled with the possibility of
changing job titles/duties? I am considering a move from Director of
Technology to Integrations Specialist if the powers will allow.
My questions are these,=20
has anyone else out there done this and how did it go?
would doing this be considered a step down or across?
would/should I expect a pay decrease?
do you Tech Integration Specialists out there work a 10 month
teacher contract or a 12 month staff contract?
My reasons for thinking about this in case that helps with advice are
the following.
i would like to spend more time with my two young and (1) health
challenged children.=20
summers off would rock
i find that being Director has made me type in bulleted lists
too much.
tech integration is what I love, being the director was the only
choice when i started here.
Any other thoughts on this would be greatly valued. =20
Thanks for all your thoughts on the matter, as always.
Jane Baker
Director of Technology
The Putney School
Putney, VT 056346
http://www.putneyschool.org
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