Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Early training

This morning I was allowed to go to my new school for the first half of the day to spend some time with the secretary I'll be replacing. She's retiring effective next week, so this was my only opportunity to spend some time with her. And it was wonderful! She's been in that particular position for 17 years and says she's loved it there. We spent four hours together going over the financial/bookkeeping part of the job. I took a lot of notes.

She walked me out to my car when we were done, showed me where my parking space will be, and told me one last time how much I'm going to love the principal, the teachers, the staff, and the kids. And my new office is small and humble, but it has a large WINDOW! My current office has no windows and no natural light, and sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in a box all day. Now I'll have lots of morning sun, and I'll be able to grow plants! There's currently a large, beautiful orchid growing on the windowsill. (I'm sure it must belong to the secretary who's leaving, and she'll probably take it. But I have orchids of my own to bring!)

Everyone I met today was so kind, friendly, and welcoming.  As to the work I'll be doing, well, it's going to be a lot to learn, but nothing seemed too terribly overwhelming or difficult. There will be two district-level training sessions in July, too, so that's when my real training will take place. I feel confident that by Christmas break I should be up to speed on all the basics. Of course, it will take at least a full school year to really feel like I've got a handle on everything, but that's the case with all new jobs, isn't it? But the whole staff seems to be happy, upbeat, cheerful, and proud of their school and I can't wait to start!

It was almost a bummer to go back to my current school after lunch to finish out the day. Two weeks from now that place will be history. It's still hard to believe. And boy, did I get lucky!







45 comments:

  1. Woo hoo! Positive vibes at that place! Working without a window is soul sucking. - Jenn

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    1. Working for deranged sociopath is also soul sucking! Haha! :) Thank you Jenn.

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  2. Sounds like Heaven. Lucky you indeed.

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  3. Windows are great. At work, I never see the light of day unless I walk to the front of the store.

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    1. The window thrilled me when I first saw it! It's the little things in life! lol

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  4. Congratulations! Gorgeous office.

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  5. I just said WOW and sucked in my breath. It's not small, it's charming.

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    1. It was also very messy and cluttered...I'm looking forward to cleaning and organizing and making it my own! It really WILL be charming then. :) Watch this space!

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  6. You AND your new school are the lucky ones! Great window.

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  7. You'll already be happy with the change....but that window will make a wonderful difference in your day!!!! Nothing worst when you have no idea what time of day it is.

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    1. Yes, a window will make a huge difference in my workday satisfaction! I may even hang a bird feeder outside the window. :)

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  8. Any office with a window is sweeeeeeeeet! And I have no doubt you will master any intricacies of your new job. Wishing you all the best!

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  9. That's a lovely office and the job sounds delightful. All new positions have that learning curve stage but that doesn't last long! What a great opportunity to work in a supportive and friendly environment!

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    1. You can immediately feel the warm, friendly "vibes" in this school. Everyone seems genuinely happy to be there and my new principal is adored by everyone who's ever met her. I'm so happy!

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  10. It all sound perfect. I think you've now found your ideal job.

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  11. To have endured as long as you have in a workplace without daylight and under the conditions you have described is no mean feat, Jennifer. I am so, so happy for you that things are looking so great with the new job!
    You know what I really like about the new office (apart from the patterned blind)? When someone enters the office and stands in front of your desk, they are not facing a computer screen first and a person second. They face you directly, with no physical barrier (except for the desk itself, obviously) between you.
    As for the challenge of learning all the new things, yes, it'll probably take one entire school year. But you have a very good head on your shoulders, and your mind is all set to learning what you need to learn. You'll master it all, no doubt!

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    1. All very encouraging words, Meike, and I thank you!

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  12. Good luck Jennifer. I am sure that the new school has also gained a wonderful employee and better days await you.

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  13. So happy for you ! Apart from all the other positives, it will be great to be able to see the sky from your chair.

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    1. Yes! Seeing the sky will be wonderful. And the window faces east, so lots of morning sun, which is lucky because I'll be working early hours.

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  14. Yes, you got lucky. But you also earned this! So happy for you. The contrast now must be appalling.

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    1. Mitchell, you and my other blog readers/friends would be appalled if I told even HALF the stories from this year of the abuse the staff suffered at the hands of our former principal! The woman is obviously mentally ill (I don't say that jokingly, either) and she created the most toxic work environment I've ever been in!

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    2. The most toxic work environment... And that’s saying a lot given what you experienced the year previous!

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  15. Excellent that you got to meet with your predecessor and work some stuff out. She sounds like the sort of person who might be happy to give occasional advice over the phone as you bed in to the new job.

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    1. I won't be bothering someone who's newly retired! Plus, she kindly left me a large list of other bookkeepers in the district as well as their office extensions so I can reach out to them for help. :) There are also accountants at the district office that she says are VERY helpful when you have a problem.

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  16. This all just makes my heart so happy for you! And honey, it ain't luck that brought you here. It's all due to your hard work.

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    1. Thanks Ms. Moon. I've worked hard, but the timing of everything was luck.

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  17. Sound great! How exciting. And yes, it takes a whole year to stop being new in a job. It is always fun to learn new things.

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    1. It is fun to learn new things! I feel sure everyone will be helpful and supportive. Thanks Colette!

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  18. It all sounds so exciting! Congratulations, Jennifer! You deserve it!

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  19. It's so very nice to see you so upbeat about work!

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    1. It's nice to BE upbeat about work after the year I just had!

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  20. Your soon to be new office is very welcoming and the large window is fabulous.

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  21. That sounds much better. The idea of a windowless office appals me.

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    1. Yes, my old school is large, dark, and cavernous and my office is located in a central sort of maze of offices. No windows, poor ventilation, poor lighting that strains my eyes...

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  22. Thank you Steve! I'm already making plans to clean and organize the space first thing (it was very messy) and hang pet photos, buy some new plants for the window, etc. :)

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  23. May this new chapter be a splendid one !

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