Ace Your First Year Teaching - Part III

What if I told you I have a piece of inside information that will virtually guarantee your success as a classroom teacher.  Would you be interested?  Of course, you would!  Then here it is: the two best friends you could ever have in a school are the school secretary (administrative assistant) and the custodian(s).  These two people, more than anyone else, run a school.  It doesn't matter whether you are teaching in a rural, suburban, or inner city school or whether you're teaching elementary school or high school; your friendship with the secretary and custodian(s) will virtually guarantee your success as a teacher!

Why is that?  Just think about all the tasks and duties these people provide.  How would the school be able to function, how would it exist from day to day, without the work and efforts of these individuals?  The number of times the secretary saved my neck or the number of times the custodian got me something I really needed are more than the number of pages in this book.   They were my lifesavers when I needed materials ordered, a lightbulb fixed, a report sent in on time, a bucket and mop for a classroom "accident," a call made to an irate parent, or a bunch of tables in my classroom for a special science experiment.



My friendship with the custodian and secretary paid more dividends than I could ever imagine.  Notice that I used the word friendship.  I depended on these people so I could do my job.  I valued their support; I valued their input; but most important, I valued their camaraderie and friendship.  Establishing, fostering, and maintaining positive relationships with the secretary and custodian(s) is important both professionally and personally. Here are some guidelines:

·         Don't assume that less education means less intelligence.  One of my custodian friends can tear down and rebuild any computer hard drive faster (and better) than any technician at the local computer store.

·         Learn the names of the secretary and custodian early on.  Take the time to find out about their families, hobbies, and pastimes. Talk with them about their lives away from the school.

·         Always treat the secretary and custodian with respect and courtesy.  Greet them every morning with a smile and a pleasant comment.

·         Here's a neat idea.  Make it a point to stop and converse with the secretary and custodian every day.  Move beyond the simple "Hi, how are you?" greetings we often exchange with people as we rush through the day.  Take 2 or 3 minutes for a brief conversation or a friendly talk. You may discover something interesting.  You may discover a kindred spirit.

·         As appropriate, send them a birthday card or note thanking them for their work.

·         Talk positively about the secretary and custodian in your conversations with colleagues.  Acknowledge and celebrate their contributions to the school community.

Obviously, the friendships you establish with the secretary and custodian are not simply for the purpose of getting something done later on.  These people are valuable and critical elements in the overall functioning of the school and of the community in which you work.

 

Looking for more "First Year" ideas?  Check it out:

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