Quotes of the week.
Happy Administrative Professional’s Day!
Please accept this gift from Mrs. Office Lady! This is one of my favorite tools that I use! Click to download the free ebook: Mail Merge Mass Mailings in Minutes
5 ways to foster teamwork at school:
- Open communication – let teachers know what you are doing and why. Yes, the mailboxes were moved, but it was because that space was needed for the new copier.
- Offer to help in the way that you can be of help. Teachers understand that you cannot cover their lunch duty, but maybe you can send a quick email to a colleague for them.
- Positive attitude – if you give the impression that you are overworked or stressed, chances are teachers will not approach you to join the dodgeball team.
- Adaptability – although you may have a better idea on how the task can be accomplished, be willing to go along with the other ideas. There are a million ways to accomplish most things; the best way is the way that makes the most sense for you. So, if it’s not your project – go with the flow and trust the person knows what they want.
- Whenever possible, remind everyone that every school employee is there for one reason and one reason alone – the student!
Happy Monday!
If you are like me when tasked with a new project, I have a hard time not obsessing about the best way to proceed. Typically I’ll begin gathering/developing documents or files that I think will help me produce what I want, then – usually in the shower or while driving and I have no access to write a note – I will have an “a-ha” moment.
I always appreciate when I have a few days lead time before a due date. As soon as I can I start to plan the best way to approach the project, knowing that once I start the planning, my mind will drift to the project and present better ideas.
The roots of the education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. Aristotle
Working in a school, especially in an elementary setting, the non-certified staff is something like a doting aunt. Even though we are always mindful that we are modelling for our students, we typically have no supervisor duty.
It’s hard not to feel protective of the little ones, and when we are in the situation where a student is sent to the office for discipline reasons, it is hard to frown upon the baby-faced perpetrator. Regardless of our feelings, however, we are in a support role and must keep our thoughts to ourselves. Even if we think the teacher is making too much of a situation, or is expecting the children to complete a ridiculous amount of work, we should never comment or act upon our feelings.
Teachers are burdened with being the taskmasters at times, as well as rectifying inappropriate behaviors. I truly believe that they take no pleasure in disciplining a child. While discipline may be difficult, however, these hard learned (bitter) lessons are imperative for the education of the child.
QUOTE OF THE Week
Schools not only inspire children to fly – but the adults that work there as well! Being in a field that values personal and professional development challenges me to grow by learning new skills!