Nice to feel like a name, not a number

[fireheart]

So quick bg: I work for an after-school care provider on an as-needs basis.

Lately I've been taking 2-3 shifts a week (I get paid fortnightly instead of weekly and my shifts are 2-3 hours long, so I end up working about the same I worked at my previous job) and getting to know the staff and the kids.

The staff are honestly, excellent. The bossman however....BEST. BOSS. EVER. Hands down.

Wanna know why he's an awesome boss?

-Instead of telling me off for an incident on my first "week" day, he gave me some advice on how to deal with it in the future.

-I've been given different jobs every day I'm in (he knows a week ahead) that I'm in, so I'm not always the "outside" person or the "craft" person.

-When he explains what's going on, he'll give me a reason why we do it (which is in line with state/federal standards, not corporate ones) and offer me some help.

[csquared]

Clone him!

Constructive criticism, cross training and in-depth training. This is someone who understands the value of a good employee and knows how to make one.

[fireheart]

Clone him!

Constructive criticism, cross training and in-depth training. This is someone who understands the value of a good employee and knows how to make one.

Well, to elaborate on those:

-National standards dictate that you either need to be studying a childcare diploma or studying an education degree of some kind (preferably early childhood (birth-Year 2) or primary (K-7). Because I'm one of the few (that I'm aware of) who is doing a teaching degree, as opposed to a childcare diploma, I'm not fully up to speed on the National standards. Bossman has been helping me out with this and helping me get up to speed (as have the other staff)

-Cross-training is partially based on need at the moment for me, but he does it with all the staff. Everyone knows their responsibilities and we learn from each other. FOr instance, I didn't realise we had a corer for apples until one of the staff showed me.

-In-depth training is partially company-based as well: we're required to attend first-aid/anaphylaxis and CPR courses (which will serve me well for teaching next year too), but this training is more "this is how you could do xyz" instead of "don't do xyz". For instance, one of the things we need to do is fill out the journal at the end of the shift. This just makes note of things we do-parents and kids can write in there as well (and are encouraged to do so). I've been writing, but he's been encouraging me to write MOAR in there.

I haven't let on yet about the nature of my health issues, but I've made note that I do have some chronic health issues.

[Eevie]

Well hey, even if it's required, it's good to know he treats you like a human being. That's more than many employees can say about their bosses. I'm glad you're enjoying your job fireheart. I, myself, wanted to get into teaching like my mother, I couldn't do it. I don't know how she does it, one look and the entire classroom quiets, I try the same look and they laugh at me. I have no idea how she does it...

[fireheart]

Well hey, even if it's required, it's good to know he treats you like a human being. That's more than many employees can say about their bosses. I'm glad you're enjoying your job fireheart. I, myself, wanted to get into teaching like my mother, I couldn't do it. I don't know how she does it, one look and the entire classroom quiets, I try the same look and they laugh at me. I have no idea how she does it...

I still need to learn effective behaviour management.

Ironically, the worst area for me is creating and implementing assessments....

The other thing I think helps is that while the company itself is fairly large in terms of staff, the number of staff at this particular school is very small. (around 7-8 "regular" staff, usually there will be 4-5 of us on at any given time) So more time for the boss to help us and less time spent on paperwork. We also help each other out.

[fireheart]

Another example of how bossman is awesome:

I've mentioned before one of the kids at my main centre who holds a bit of a grudge for a rocky start. I asked him for some advice and mentioned one thing I had been trying.

The behaviour is getting to the point of just outright bullying ME, so I'm treating it as nothing more than a schoolyard bully. That is, I don't get into a shouting match or anything along those lines, as I suspect that's what he WANTS. So if he does something directly to me, I tend to play dumb, stand there, blink a couple of times (deliberately) and go "may I help you?" in the most calm, pleasant voice possible. Somehow it works.

I mentioned that to bossman. He actually agreed that I should try it and see how it goes.


The other thing he did as well was recommend me to another school that we have good relations with. The two schools share a common border and we also share the vacation care program (that is, their kids come here during the holidays. The numbers drop to the point where we only need 3 staff on at a time instead of 4-7). I was recommended because of my special ed background (which has half-worked )

When he texted me the next day to ask me to come in to a meeting, I told him I'd be there and also thanked him for sending me over. His response: "how did it go?" Me at the time: .

[fireheart]

Some good news and some bad news. The bad news? He's leaving at the end of the year

The good news? He's actually sitting down with all of us (the "new" hires) and going over some things in-depth with us. Given I'm aiming for fill-in coordinator at some point over the next 18 months, I am taking every scrap of knowledge I can get.