Episode 11: The Ugly Side of Being a Teacher Leader

In this podcast, Dean Conley, a union president for over a decade, discusses the challenges and sacrifices involved in leadership positions within the education field. He sheds light on the "ugly side" of being a teacher leader, emphasizing the following key points:

• The Silent Struggle: Dean mentions that many of the achievements and challenges faced by teacher leaders are not publicly shared, which can make the organization look bad. He highlights the need to keep confidential information, making it challenging to address various situations that arise.
• Hidden Sacrifices: Dean discusses the sacrifices made by teacher leaders, including being called upon for help at any time, even during personal holidays or vacations. He compares their role to that of a firefighter, with unpredictable demands and constant availability.
• Balancing Leadership and Classroom Responsibilities: Dave and Dean discuss the balancing act of managing union leadership responsibilities alongside classroom teaching. Dean emphasizes the importance of understanding and support from family members for teacher leaders.
• Feeling Helpless While Watching Building Morale Erode: Dean shares an example of the frustration teacher leaders can face when dealing with ineffective teachers. He recounts an incident where an administrator didn't take appropriate action against a problematic teacher, leading to a decline in staff morale.

Overall, this conversation highlights the hidden challenges and responsibilities that teacher leaders face, including maintaining confidentiality, addressing urgent issues, and the delicate balance between leadership and teaching duties. It also underscores the impact of leadership decisions on the overall school environment and morale.