So you have landed that great ed tech-related job -- but getting it was the
easy part. What do you do next, and how do you get off to the best start? Here
are 10 useful tips.
1. The classic mistake made by many newcomers to a school is to go in like a
bull in a china shop. Brimming with ideas, they launch themselves into their
first meeting with suggestion after suggestion after suggestion -- only to be
told: "Yes, we tried that".
The very first thing you have to do is research. Find out from the people who
are already there what needs to be done. Walk around and make a note of what's
going on. Then you'll be in a much better position to make changes.
2. Some of this groundwork can be undertaken before you start. Perhaps you
can arrange to spend a day in the school with the person whose job you're taking
over. Make sure you think carefully about the questions you want to ask before
you get there.
3. Politics is a dirty word, but it's also a reality. Make sure you find out
pretty quickly who has the ear of the Principal, and who doesn't. The bottom
line is that if you want to get things done quickly, then to some extent you
have to make sure you influence the right people.
4. Nobody likes a smart alec who is going to turn the place upside down
straight away (see point #1). But people will be expecting you to do a little
more than tread water. So look for small but significant changes you can make.
In fact, subtle changes are often the most effective. For example, installing a
new computer in the staffroom, or giving the existing one a spring clean so that
it runs faster -- but without saying a word to anybody -- can be incredibly
effective.
5. Develop a house style. We hear a lot about the paperless office but
everybody knows it's a pipe dream. But if you have to use
paper, make it distinctive. Why not run a competition for the kids to see who
comes up with the best departmental logo, with a $25 book token as the prize?
Then create a letterhead using the logo, and with your school contact details
on, for use on all your communications. (If the school has a rule that letters
have to be sent on official headed paper, then perhaps you could create
compliments slips instead, and/or use your letterhead internally only, for
notices and notes to your co-workers.)
6. Under-promise and over-deliver.
7. Adopt the highest standards of dress.
8. Create your elevator pitch: something you can say in 30 seconds that will
encapsulate your aims and what you've achieved in the last two months.
9. Be open and amenable.
10. Be honest.
You'll notice that there's nothing here about technology. That's because I'm
assuming you know your stuff. What I've done here is to list a few generic
points that will stand you in good stead whatever the nature of
the job itself.
There's a whole series here about making a good impression, written by Alison
Skymes. To find them, go to the yellow menu on the ICT in Education website, and search for Skymes.
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