I apologize, it's a bit of a slow start for me this morning. We are currently getting hammered with a pretty significant snow storm. Six inches overnight, on top of the two or so we already had on the ground, with another four to six coming throughout the day today. Needless to say, this is pretty significant. Although we had a snow day at work, as an administrator, I still have to report, so I made the 20 mile drive into work. Only two and a half of the roads were completely unplowed, so it wasn't too horrible.
I was tempted to call in and use a personal day. In the past, I never used to really mind trudging through the snow to get here, but in past years, I have more and more hesitation. If it wasn't for the fact that I would rather use my personal days in the summer to camp, I likely would have burned one.
I think a lot of it has to do with Covid and the fact we realized that a good portion of my job can be done remotely. Of course when teachers and students are in the building, that isn't the case, but on days like today. It's not really necessary for me to be here. With high speed Internet connections and secure VPN connections, I can do much of my work from my couch.
This post isn't really about me though. The other day 
Well, in this case my wife drew the lucky straw and needless to say, she was a bit worked up about it.
I had planned on giving a lot more details for this post, but I think I am going to back off for the sake of privacy. It's not like anyone really ever reads these, and I don't think anyone involved would probably ever happen upon this blog, but while I have less than a year left (if I want) at my job,
In the vaguest terms possible, the school district pays an entity to provide a service. Personally, I don't feel that service is being adequately supplied, so I often question why we continue to pay them. My feelings aside, this entity lodged some complaints against my wife and her direct superior which for all intents and purposes are beyond petty and have made me realize just how much this world has changed.
Probably one of the biggest issues that she relayed to me was the fact that she isn't welcoming to these outside contractors when they visit the building. Well first of all, she is there to take care of the students, not make them feel good about coming to work that day. Second, my wife has over 70 students on her caseload with some that can be set off at the drop of a hat. While she only has a single title at the building she often fills the role of many positions including tech support (because her husband is the "tech guy"), nurse, principal, secretary, etc.
She has a lot on her plate and doesn't have time to sit and chat about what someone did over the weekend. If she did have time, she would put a smile on her face and nod through it, but she just doesn't.
I think the biggest rub was the fact that after 23 years working for the district in this position suddenly her integrity was being questioned. All because she didn't smile at someone as they passed through the hall.
Obviously, there is a bit more going on in this situation, but that's the basic crux of it. Which again makes me realize just how much the work world has changed.
Apparently people think that work is more of a social gathering these days than a place where you actually do your job. Don't get me wrong, friendships happen at work. I don't deny that, but if your whole day revolves around how many people say hi to you when you walk in the building like they are lucky to be basking in your presence, then the problem might be you, not them.
Sadly, that's not the way the world and the younger generations see it. In the past, the majority of the complaints never would have gotten to her. The superintendent would have said "that's BS" and stood up for his direct employee. These days however, that employee is now called into a meeting and has to justify her position like she is the one who committed the offense.
Obviously, I am a bit biased, but trust me,
It's scary how the current class of workers feels like they should do as little work as possible and you should kiss their feet because of that. Like we are lucky to have them here wasting our time and space. You know what though, as long as they keep getting away with it, they will keep doing it.
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