No, this is not a challenge to the commitment level of anyone who participates here. Rather, it is a question, designed to solicit the ideas of this broader community to help me in making several decisions. I'd like the insight and experience of others as I reflect and make those decisions. Let me explain.
I have the possibility of taking on a responsibility at a statewide level for things having to do with education. There is no guarantee I would be successful in the effort, but I have been encouraged to apply to be appointed to one of three boards dealing with educational matters in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This comes immediately after I have been requested to present to a Countywide Blue-Ribbon panel in the district where I teach. I am trying to determine when I should say yes to things and when I should politely decline the honors. And I need help.
Back in June, I wrote a diary entitled
Books and music - the shy person's refuge in which I noted:
I have always been overcommitted - it is one way shy people can avoid their loneliness
.
And as one somewhat insecure it is usually somewhat reassuring to have others want my input, my insight. And yet, I recognize that more often that I am usually willing to admit I have a tendency to take on too many things. Thus at one point I was involved - only electronically - with close to two dozen campaigns this cycle, sending out information on educational policy and other topics, engaging in dialog, blogging about candidates and campaigns. As my summer comes to a close (I am at school one week from today to help check in soccer players) I have scaled way back on political activity except for Jim Webb's Senate race - I do live in Virginia and that one remains important.
Two things came my way yesterday. The first was something about which I had been approached a month ago but could not do then because of my seminar at William & Mary. Prince George's County Council has become very concerned about Maryland's High School Assessments (HSAs), the state-mandated tests that are, for classes graduating beginning in 2009, mandatory for high school graduation. In previous years, as the tests have been being field tested, the percentage of students making the cut scores on the 5 tests (English, Algebra, Geometry, Biology, and Government) has been so low that there is real concern that the County will see a significant drop on the percentage and number of students able to graduate. To address this issue, the County Council appointed a 16-member blue ribbon commission to look into issues related to the tests. There are questions about whether one-shot application of tests as a sole measure is the direction the state should be going. There are concerns about the impact the tests are having upon the education students are receiving. The Commission includes people from both County Council and School Board, from the State Department of Education and from the local school administration, from PTSAs and other community organizations. My name was suggested to the commission by three different sources as a teacher who can give a clear understanding of the impact HSAs have been having, and who can also address some of their other concerns. Originally I was asked to give a 15 minute presentation and then answer questions for about another 10-15. Yesterday I was in phone contact with the vice-chairman, and I was strongly urged to appear as the only witness, to present for 45-60 minutes, with about 30 minutes of questions. That will be one week from today, in the County Council chambers, in a meeting that is open to the public, and which may be being broadcast live on community cable. Note the day - the same day I have to report back to check in soccer players.
After a 30 minute phone conversation with the vice-chair of the commission, I agreed to do this. It is a one-time obligation, and while it will require perhaps one to two days of preparation on my part, that seems a reasonable commitment of time, especially as it is directly related to my primary responsibility as a classroom teacher in the schools of the County.
But then I was informed of the possibility of appointment by the Governor of Virginia to perhaps one of three statewide boards dealing with issues of education. Without going into specifics, each of these would give me the opportunity for input in shaping aspects of educational policy for the state in which I live and pay taxes. The time commitments would vary, although at different points they could be intense, requiring me several times a year to take time off from my teaching in order to fulfill my obligations. One would involve being one of the state's representatives in a national organization involving all of the states.
I by no means am guaranteed anything. While I have some political visibility within the state, it is primarily in my local community (Arlington), although I could be pretty certain of strong backing from my local public officials should my application get that far.
I began my now-abandoned doctorate in educational policy because I wanted to be able to have a voice as we confronted some of the issues about education in our society. I recognized that we were approaching several crises about our public schools, and that this would also become an important political issue. I have been able to have some impact as a result of blogging, particularly but not exclusively here - it was through blogging that I got to know Gov. Vilsack. My blogging about education led to my role at Yearlykos. I have had access to newspaper writers about education. And my blogging has enabled me to have a voice with a number of political figures.
And yet I have never been in the trenches about educational policy. I have not sat on boards, or represented others. And this is a way that potentially could have as much beneficial impact as anything else I do - except for my teaching, which remains my core commitment.
I expect that the opportunity before me now is not the only opportunity I will encounter. I recognize that if I do apply and am appointed, that will restrict my ability to do other things. Perhaps it will limit my blogging, or it may mean that I will be too committed to take on something else that might come my way.
I know that there are many here who are presented with similar situations in their own lives. Thus I am asking for some discussion. How do you make decisions about what to take on, when you say yes and when no? What do you do when others tell you your participation is important, or flatter you by saying you are the best or unique person for the situation?
I am not asking the community to make the decision for me. I would like to hear the points of view and experiences of others. And I think such a discussion might well be of benefit to people other than me, otherwise I would not post this on a board, but would merely distribute it via email.
I await your responses. And thanks in advance to those who choose to respond.