rude secretaries

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher I went to a workshop on relationships with parents who are "Karens". (It was titled something different).

They said that the person at the front desk is often the face of the school and the gatekeeper protecting the admin's time.

They suggested that some bad situations could deescalate if that "face" were kinder but that could mean hiring a spare person.

Our school had a volunteer requirement for parents, but the parents often volunteered to do something like design a program, and then ask the school staff to copy those and fold them and hand them out.
This is a small example, but this 100 times a year.

Also, as a teacher, they ask for things from staff like leave slips and fingerprints and schedules and they have to nag them because teachers get pulled in every direction too.

Then a kid throws up, scrapes a knee, punches his buddy, and winds up "in the office" which means in front of them.

Every time there is a new initiative, like fundraising event, a grant, or even a rained out soccer game, they get the brunt of the work.

Also, people who want to yell at someone else, yell at her/him first.

Marginally related: was this a public school that required volunteering? I can't imagine having time for that.

[Anonymous]

A bunch of volunteers in the school does not make it better

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher I went to a workshop on relationships with parents who are "Karens". (It was titled something different).

They said that the person at the front desk is often the face of the school and the gatekeeper protecting the admin's time.

They suggested that some bad situations could deescalate if that "face" were kinder but that could mean hiring a spare person.

Our school had a volunteer requirement for parents, but the parents often volunteered to do something like design a program, and then ask the school staff to copy those and fold them and hand them out.
This is a small example, but this 100 times a year.

Also, as a teacher, they ask for things from staff like leave slips and fingerprints and schedules and they have to nag them because teachers get pulled in every direction too.

Then a kid throws up, scrapes a knee, punches his buddy, and winds up "in the office" which means in front of them.

Every time there is a new initiative, like fundraising event, a grant, or even a rained out soccer game, they get the brunt of the work.

Also, people who want to yell at someone else, yell at her/him first.

I worked in FCPS and am a parent in FCPS and I've never seen any office personnel deal with any of that. They had zero to do with any fundraising, soccer games, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I literally was terrified of my daughter's secretary in ES. She never smiled, is rude, and barks orders, and never looks at you. You feel like you are inconveniencing her. I call her the guard dog. My DD's MS secretary is amazing! So, it is not ALL but enough. I already am trembling because the youngest is starting at the ES and I have to deal with the guard dog again.

Lol. We graduated from our guard dog and now have a MS angel too. I just give her lots of sincere compliments, my kids write her thank you with gift cards and I bring her impromptu gifts of Purell and coffee. I always emphasize what she’s great at without mentioning the sucky lady.