Keeping the plates spinning: The balancing Act of the Teacher Educator

1. Keeping the plates spinning: The balancing Act of the Teacher Educator

2. The university still retains much of its medieval structure, and although there have been increasing efforts to drag it into the industrial-technological age, the efforts haven’t proved completely successful (Pritchard, Hosteltler & Sawyer, 2004, p. 245). Massey and Zemsky (1994) coined the term “academic ratchet” to describe the trend toward more faculty time being spent away from teaching and preparing for classes to focus on research and publication. Academic life is more difficult than most anticipate because the responsibilities are time-consuming, diverse, and conflicting. (Towes and Yazedjian, 2007). Literature Review

3. Teaching Research Publications Conference Presentations Coordination of School Programming University Academic Affairs Committee SOE Diversity Committee Board of Trustees SOE Meetings What plates are spinning for me?

4. Understand the expectations of the department • What is the tenure/promotion policy? • What is expected of new faculty? • Do you have a mentor? • Make the time needed for research and publication sacrosanct • Schedule!!!!!! • Tie it to classes taught if possible • Work collaboratively on writing projects How to keep the plates spinning

5. Service to the University • Gathering data for accreditation visits • Participating in department and university committees • Grant writing • Service to the Community • Stakeholder’s meetings • Attending functions How to keep the plates spinning

6. Balance is the key! Family/friends are important No is a complete sentence! My way to spin the plates

7. The very act of teaching is what I value the most. I work to make sure that my ability to plan, implement and evaluate instruction is not hindered by my other duties. The closing act