The purpose of this study is to show the meaning of the duties, roles, difficulties and experiences of the head teachers of school affairs in a middle school. This study will help the head teachers of school affairs to perform their roles, to analyze ...
The purpose of this study is to show the meaning of the duties, roles, difficulties and experiences of the head teachers of school affairs in a middle school. This study will help the head teachers of school affairs to perform their roles, to analyze the meaning of experienecs, and to suggest performing democratic operation in school organization.
Accordingly, the research questions are as follows.
First, What is the process through which the head teachers of school affairs in a middle school are assigned to their duties?
Second, what are the duties and the roles of the head teachers of school affairs in a middle school?
Third, what are difficulties in the process of performing duties and roles by the head teachers of school affairs in a middle school?
Fourth, what does the experience of the head teachers of school affairs in a middle school mean to themselves?
In order to solve the research problems above, four former and current head teachers of school affairs in a middle school in Gyeonggi-do were selected and the study was conducted through in-depth interviews using semi-structured questionnaires.
The main research results are as follows.
First, the head teachers of school affairs take over ’volunteer for promotion,’ ’regardless of promotion into the situation,’ ’at the recommendation of the administrator.’ .
Second, as the most core and common task, the head teacher of school affairs is in charge of overall academic operation management. And among the core tasks the head teachers of school affairs go through struggles to conduct meetings, HR management, and evaluate multiple aspects.
Third, it was found that the duties of the head of school affairs in a middle school have some features that are sensitive ‘not only to teachers but also to students and parents,’ ‘related to all departments,’ and ‘work that is concentrated on the head teachers of school affairs and a small number of non-homeroom teachers.’ Due to the nature of these tasks, the difficulties in performing the duties of the head teachers of school affairs in the midst of a pandemic have been aggravated.
Fourth, the head teachers of school affairs play a role in promoting and coordinating the overall school affairs as the chief manager and administrative work expert in the school organization. At the same time, they must be proficient in relationship-oriented behavior as a communication channel and mediator. Only then can they play their role as a facilitator of school change.
Fifth, in the process of performing such a multifaceted role, the head teachers of school affairs are experiencing complex psychological emotions along with difficulties in performing the role. For the first time in the process of performing the role of the business promotion coordinator, the head teachers of school affairs were experiencing ‘difficulty in balancing between departments,’ ‘difficulty as a solver of new and ambiguous tasks.’ As a result, life style which the head teachers of school affairs are so busy that it is impossible to leave early becomes common. After that in the process of performing the role of the relationship mediator, they were experiencing ‘difficulty in conduct between administrators and teachers,’ ‘misunderstandings and psychological difficulties due to promotion,’ ‘feeling like a lonely bat.’ As a result, it was found that the identity as a teacher is also negatively affected by the mental hardship that comes from many jobs and relationships that require giving up on personal life.
Sixth, despite these difficulties and limitations, they gave the meaning of ‘personal growth’ and ‘confirmation of the value of existence’ to their experience as the head teachers of school affairs. They talked more specifically about the meaning of personal growth; ‘broaden their understanding,’ ‘gaining an eye for education,’ ‘the process of reflective reflection.’ Next, if specify the meaning of the confirmation of existence value, they talked ‘satisfaction with role performance’, ‘the joy of supporting teachers,’ ‘the protagonist of change,’ ‘preparation for their future.’
As a result of the study, the causes of difficulties in the duties and roles of the head teachers of school affairs were investigated. School division of duties is not clear, The job of the vice-principal is not clear and there is a big difference in individual competency. It is thought that the attitude or atmosphere of teachers and administrators towards the head teachers of school affairs is a factor that causes difficulties in performing the role. I would like to make some suggestions to reduce the difficulties of the head teachers of school affairs and to help them fulfill their roles.
First, it should be required to reduce, to adjust the scope of duties and roles of the head teachers of school affairs, and to expand practical training at the education office level.
Second, it is suggested that the administration-exclusive education department manager system be implemented cyclically every 1-2 years.
Third, it is required to present clearly and train the duties and roles of the vice principal at the education office level.
Fourth, There is a need for a policy that recognizes the professionalism of the head teachers of school affairs by granting incentives as the head teachers of school affairs. And it is thought that this will reduce the phenomenon of avoiding the office of the head teachers of school affairs at the school site.