I have a long history of collaborative work with Dr. Jeffrey Maher in his roles with professional development, mentoring, and coaching with educators in Maryland County School Districts. Jeff is currently the Chief Strategic Officer for St. Mary’s County Public Schools (MD). When Jeff shared his thoughts on how Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey illustrated a teacher’s career journey of personal growth and transformation through challenges and triumphs, I was anxious to share his insights with you. I think it provides a great model for leaders to explore the supports that are being offered to staff at different places in their journey.
Thanks Jeff.
In my career as an educator and leader, I’ve seen the cycle of growth and progression for teachers as they move throughout their careers. How appropriate that this progression mirrors what Joseph Campbell calls the Hero’s Journey. As a future teacher takes those first steps to consider this amazing career, it initiates this cycle with the great call to adventure where we meet potential teachers and help them ignite that spark and passion. Our young adventurers find that pathway along many of the avenues of pre-service learning- whether through traditional programs or newly developed apprenticeships. These young heroes are entering the unknown – where we must provide safe practice and embedded experiences through apprenticeships, field experiences, internships, or in a first year of teaching.
Once new teachers enter our doors, we differentiate our supports for a more diverse range of experiences and levels of teacher preparation. This work is just beginning for them. It is our imperative to develop and support them. It is critical that they have supportive mentors who guide them along the way and provide them feedback. Like Obi-Wan to Luke Skywalker, they’ll provide sage advice and encouragement – and also be there as they go through those initial initiations, challenges, and struggles.
It is not just the Obi-Wans, but the Han Solos, Leias, and R2s – the alliances they form, the teams of which they become a part. These supportive colleagues are there to help them make their plans and build on successes. They mentor them and nurture their growth with both resources and understanding, recognizing that in addition to planning, teaching, and grading – they are learning to plan, teach, and grade.
As new teachers become veteran teachers, they continue their professional growth, as part of the team and as supportive learning partners. Throughout their careers, we know there are trials, tests, and challenges that all teachers face.
They learn to be flexible and adjust their course. Reflection and renewal are part of each day and each year. As teachers become teacher leaders in this journey, they become the mentors of others in mutually beneficial partnership.
As a teacher goes through this cycle, they are renewed. They are transformed, and as the hero arrives where they started, they see the place with new eyes. Each school year, and throughout the career of a teacher, the hero is renewed and sees this call to adventure every August… And their whole career is a journey of growth and progression.
For all our fellow educators, thank you for being the Obi-Wans, the Gandalfs, the mentors to our young adventurers – and thank you for providing them the maps and blazing trails for their journey.
You can contact Jeff Maher on LinkedIn or jmaher24@gmail.com.
