You know how for a really major cleaning, things must get worse before they get better?
My office looks like a couple file cabinets exploded. It’s improving, but I’m never gonna get it done. Never, never, never.
But for a hoot–my office manager had the same problem. So after they stopped paying her (I have to make up days missed during my trip to Ohio, otherwise I’d be ending with her) she returned today as a volunteer. And it’s hysterical.
The assistant principal. “Mrs. E, can you–”
“Nope. I’m a volunteer. I’m doing what I want to get done.” Closing her yearly files, cleaning her desk, all stuff that needs to be done.
“Well, how do I–”
“You can call the district. They said I don’t need to be here, so they can explain it to you.”
A teacher. “Mrs. E, I need–”
“Talk to an administrator. I’m a volunteer.”
“But how do I get paid?”
“Volunteers don’t do payroll.”
And before you think that sounds cruel, my beloved Mrs E (I’m going to be just like her when I grow up!!) is administering a very important lesson. We have a lot of new people who don’t seem to see just how much she does. Those of us in the know are quite aware the school falls apart when she’s not there. I’m not kidding, there are still cracks in the walls from the last time she left early for a dr appt. So she’s having fun, getting her work done (for free, oh budget-crunched district) and teaching, all at one go. She’s awesome.
And at the end of the day, the assistant principal awarded her a certificate in honor of her selfless dedication, volunteering for the cause of public education.