Educators Pilot Their Job Share to Gain Approval

why pilot a job share during a leave

If you’ve wondered how to get quick buy-in and approval for a job share, take a cue from Kim Williams and Amber Barr. The duo decided to pilot their job share during Amber’s maternity solving leave coverage for their employer with a risk-free solution.

Meet librarian job share Kim & Amber

It was an honor to interview the passionate educators who job share at Pease Elementary School in Austin, Texas for the Work Muse Job Share Project.

behind-the-scenes video shoot image for Work Muse Job Share Project with Kim Williams, Amber Barr, and Work Muse founder Melissa Nicholson

Behind the scenes with job share Kim Williams & Amber Barr as they share their job share story for the Work Muse Job Share Project.

Doing the up-front work

Kim and Amber took the time to invest in their job share up-front. prior to entering the arrangement to make sure that they were the right fit. Kim worked in the library learning hands-on from Amber prior to job sharing. Doing so allowed her to seamlessly take the helm when Amber went on maternity leave.

Their supportive principal told Kim there was no need for her to interview, she’d already proven how dedicated she was to both Amber and the position. Kim’s flexible and willing attitude was key to the job share’s success.

pilot a job to demonstrate commitment and a willing attitude

Piloting your job share arrangement is a way to prove your commitment to the role and your job share partnership while reducing the risk of trying an unfamiliar flexible work arrangement for your manager.

Both Kim & Amber feel an important part of their job share team’s success has been the support of management. First, their principal, Donna Martinez, helped them create their job share for work-life balance prior to her retirement. Then, new principal Matthew Nelson took the helm through Kim & Amber’s second school year job sharing. He was open-minded and excited at the prospect of having not just one, but two librarians for his students, parents, and staff.

Why job sharing is an A+ work practice for school librarians

It was Amber who pointed out that being a librarian can often be isolating, as there is only one at each school. Having a partner gives them a great way to brainstorm ideas, have a support system, geek over great books together, and discover ways to light up their kids on reading. Job sharing gives both teachers the work-life balance that makes them A+ moms and librarians!

Share Your Job Share Story

Why job share stories matter. We’d love to hear yours!

A core mission at Work Muse is to spread the adoption of job sharing for working moms, dads, caregivers, and any person seeking a way to separate and prioritize work and life.  Part of this initiative includes sharing stories and insights from real-life job shares in practice as well as those of managers and those who have worked with job sharers.  

If you or someone you know has job shared or currently job shares or if you have worked with a job sharer, share your story here. We’d love to hear from you!

 

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Melissa Nicholson job shared for nearly a decade and is the Founder & CEO of Work Muse. Work Muse drives the adoption of job sharing in business as a source of competitive advantage while helping individuals find work-life balance. Join the #JobshareRevolution here.

 

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