Hello, my name is Mona Curtis, and I am ESL coordinator at Treasure Valley Community college in Ontario, Oregon.  My position has been from full-time (initially) to half-time (presently) but usually hovering around three-quarter time (pending internal restructuring).   

 

Why did you become a program manager?

I was a part-time ESL teacher for two years before a combination of grants made it possible for me to become a part-time coordinator (with pro-rated benefits).  I think I was naturally drawn to administration because I have the organizational skills necessary for such a position, and many of the other teachers didn't.  Paperwork and budgets don't  bother me, in fact, I rather like them.  And some of it was cutthroat opportunism.  I needed benefits and was willing to do what was necessary to get them. 

 

What makes a good program manager?  Can a good teacher be a good manager?  Are different or additional skills needed?

Classroom experience gives an administrator the insights necessary to make administrative decisions that are appropriate.

A good program manager needs to be consistent.  With so many part time people, policies need to be defined and articulated.

 

What did you find most challenging in moving from the classroom to the front office?

I had a small personal crisis when I became coordinator.  I went from being a fellow teacher to a supervisor of my colleagues. It was a different role and took some adjustment. I'm not sure what or if I did anything differently.  It just took a year or so to make the adjustments and now I'm able to interact with my friends (which all our teachers are) and still be their supervisor.    

 

What advice would you give to someone who would like to manage programs for language learners?

Don't hold your breath.  Unless the new administration changes things dramatically, full-time benefited positions in higher education in general, and adult education in particular will be few and far between.

 

Can a person who has no background in adult ESL instruction be an effective manager of programs for adult English language learners?   

Again, it's a question of secretarial vs. administrative duties.   There are some very good secretaries who keep up with paperwork and details, but in order to make good administrative decisions about a program, an individual needs classroom experience or lots of direct work with both teachers and students.   

 

Responding to Donna and Rebeca's posts, I think I'm very good at creating a smoothly running ESL program.  I have a good relation with the students, teachers, and other departments of the college.  I'm even somewhat of a visionary.  I have big plans for the department.  But advocacy for both the students and department remains my biggest challenge.  I hate to say it but  I've become but less emotional about education in general.  Education is a microcosm  of the society and people are concerned and vehement about it.  Just mentioning that you're a teacher often evokes rantings from the public.    I've learned to just ignore a lot of this and to concentrate on creating a good learning environment for the teachers and students.   

<mailto:mflorez at dclearns.org>  
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