So, I think I have mentioned before that I love my job. I am truly grateful to work there and both proud of what we do and indebted to my boss for creating this place where my children got a wonderful part of their educations.
so, I always put the kids first, the administration second, my coworkers third, and me last (ok, maybe the parents are last, but if they are good parents they think they are first because what is important to them is their kids.)
and I'm a very introverted, socially awkward, don't rock somebody else's boat kind of person. (Generally I either paddle or get out of the boat)
but i I could use more hours,and I would like to work more hours. I've been accomplishing this mostly by subbing for other teachers because my boss has put me in a box labeled "art teacher" (actually I'm a PreK-4 all subjects teacher, but I'm also a potter.). And I am a good teacher. I've made comments here and there, but nothing formal.
so last week took a deep breath and had an actual discussion with her about my abilities and career goals. I think she was a little startled, but she actually said "I don't know why I have you in this box." And in the last few days, I have added three new classes for next year (all farm/ag science, so I may now be in a "pottery/farm" box, but at least it's a bigger box) and I dropped a high school level class that was my least favorite. Giving me two full days of actual teaching next year instead of two 3/4 days.
it's a start. I'm really proud of myself for speaking up.