Right up until the day I heard that the school needed a new secondary secretary, I never would have imagined that I would be working at the school in this capacity. As soon as I heard about it, though, I knew I needed to apply.
That was August of 2011, and now I’m finishing up with my second school year as secretary. There are about 250 students, and 20 some-odd teachers in the secondary (grades 7-12). There are so many days when I want to run home and burn up my keyboard telling about the latest crazy story, the most recent odd conversation…but I can’t. For one thing, I’d lose my job, and for another, this town is too small: changing names to protect the innocent wouldn’t really help, because someone would probably figure out who I was talking about.
There’s a lot of crazy stuff that passes through the principal’s office, even at a small rural school like ours. I never know what each day will bring, sometimes that’s good, sometimes…not so much.
But now, everyone’s mostly gone — it’s just the administrative staff finishing up the year, and getting ready for the next year. I have a lot to do before I can take my summer vacation in July. I have the day off tomorrow, though: the boys are playing in FOUR games. Two junior high, and then we have to change locations for a JV doubleheader.
I find that I would like to say more about the topic of schools and being a school secretary, but it’s late, and as I mentioned….ballgames…I’d better get to bed and maybe I’ll try to say more another time.
(Picture is of the report cards alpha-sorted, waiting to be stuffed…)
When I was teaching in a small rural high school I always had much respect for the secretaries. As far as I was concerned they were underpaid and not respected by many. The two we had, one handling the money and the other just normal everyday stuff, ran the school. They knew more about the school then anyone else.
My first principle was wonderful. The second one was crazy, literally, and would only talk with certain teachers. Unfortunately I was one he wanted to talk to, but I would not tell him what the other teachers were saying about him. Most likely my giving the note he put in my mail box to the central office got him fired. The school ran so much better after he was gone and the vice principle took over.
Schools are also a little Peyton Place. I know you are too young to remember that program, but staff members were dating, affairs were happening and even a few were seeing students whom they later married. The secretaries knew much of this activity.
I admire you for taking that job and holding your tongue….or is that your fingers. You can write a book later.