First Tears

I am about to find out the hard way why classrooms are not yet prepared yet.

After signing contracts for my Director's position in May i wrote to my link-man, Mr A requesting a full list of teaching resources which are said to be centrally located at our Secondary School site some 4 kms away.

I hear nothing back, and fear they might find it a rather cheeky request since i don’t officially start the job till September. So i leave it for a bit. 

I then request it again in July – this time ccing in my Boss. Nada. 

Surely every school has an inventory to hand of all stock? They’re just been slack-asses surely? So i write again from my office with a sense of urgency. A further week later i receive a Word doc which takes three days to open. It simply lists how many tables and chairs are on the school site. 

I’m getting agitated and angry again, calling up Bole direct stating this was not the list i was after. I want a FULL list of all teaching resources for the Primary school.

It completely blows me away to find the list does not exist because there are none available. That explains the bullock-naked classrooms.  The ultimate assumicide! 

Dumbfounded i query Mr Z. It’s a true story. I ask him how he teaches heavier and lighter without scales, shows how to tell the temperature without a thermometer or teaches symmetry without mirrors? “Usually worksheets,” he stoically replies. 

 

Just when i think things can’t get any worse here – they do. 

I walk around each of our Early Years classes with Ms. J. (Head of Section) which are bereft of absolutely anything for little ones to touch or play. However, In one of our Kindergarten classes she  points to the one toy they have in the room for 18 four year olds. A broken rag doll.

 Yours Truly with our one toy in the Early Years department

We go trudging to the coffee-shop opposite the school for a machiato and i shed my first tears since arriving. Poor Ms J doesn’t really know what to say to me, and gingerly strokes my arm sympathetically. I don't know what to say either - i'm totally and utterly left speechless.

I now panic that i've blown all my budget on paint and i won't be able to buy any toys. No-one has been able to tell me how much my Primary budget is, despite my regular requests.

I tweet "what am i doing here?" and Ms J far too swiftly replies "making a difference." She   bloody-well makes me cry again. Shit! I'm being emotionally blackmailed to stay. Such a smart-ass and a quality person to have as a member of our Primary Management team. 

I knew there would be tears for me here. Becky, an adopted Londoner, quality friend and Senior Manager of a multi-cultural school in Westminster told me she was regularly in tears weekly. I'm kinda amazed i've gone so long without them. But sometimes i surprise myself with my own inner strength.