OK. I'm feeling like I don't like New Boss, and therefore I don't like this job anymore.
Which is bad. I mean, I don't want to go job-searching again so soon. And to be honest, this happens to me a lot. I've had some genuinely bad bosses--and maybe that's part of the problem. I've had just enough of the real borderline abusive stuff that I go into this kind of situation with shields up and weapons armed. It's just...even with the clarification from yesterday, I feel like I'm still an underling and a minion in her sight. This will sound like such a tiny thing, but she's the ONLY person here who upon learning I was a writer didn't ask me what I was working on or some similar question. And that's what I liked about this job so far--that I felt like everyone saw me as a worthy and intelligent person in my own right.
God, I hate this. I'm sure it's at least in part my fault, but I hate it.
Well, maybe she's afraid of looking like a soft touch or something.
And the thing is, I know I'm being prickly and probably unfair. It's just...dammit. I liked my job the way it was. And I wish she'd taken five minutes to figure out who I am and what I'm interested in.
On the one hand, instincts are often right about stuff like that. On the other... you have not exactly given her a fair chance yet. Give it some time. Then if she turns out to be a bad boss it will her fault; you won't share the responsibility because you did not give her a shot. Give her at least as much of chance as you would someone who worked for you instead being your boss.
But it is fine to mutter to mutter and say things about her here. That is one of the things this place is for. And I'm sorry you have boss settling in troubles. And like I say not discounting your feelings; there is a good chance you are right.
Susan, I've been thinking about your situation since reading your last post. Of course, I haven't met her, but I can think of lots of reasons (besides her being a jerk) why she might treat you like an underling - nerves, trying to figure out her job, trying to establish herself, and in the end, she's not wrong - you do work for her, right?
I personally dislike my boss - she lies, she is not very hard working, and she's prejudiced, to name a few things. So, I have a strictly professional relationship with her and write everything down.
Also, I hate change. So, if a new boss were to come into my office, I'd probably hate her from day one.
All this is my way of saying - give her a few weeks. I have learned that I personally will hate everything new for two months, at least, and then it generally gets better. I'd hate to see you give up on a place where you were relatively happy when a little bit of time and adjustment might help.
eta: also, like TB said, feel free to vent here!
she's not wrong - you do work for her, right?
True. And, I do have chain of command issues, always have. I guess what's different was that with her is that when Acting Director was my boss, I felt like she supervised me for work, but that I wasn't a lesser person in her sight because she was above me on the chain of command and had one degree more than I do.
But, yeah, I should give it more time, and try to at least disarm my phasers and photon torpedoes, even if I leave the shields up just for self-protection.
Hi Susan, and first off let me say that I'm sorry you're having boss issues and I hope they all work out quickly. Also, Tep, I'm so glad to hear that your father is doing better. And I'm happy that P-C's first date with #5 went well. And I'm sorry that vw is feeling stressed about letting students down, but I am positive that she is not really doing so. And Ginger, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. And I know there's more that I want to say, but I'm barely skimming in the few odd moments I've had free here and there this past week. I hope I didn't miss anyone else.
My thump is just pure exhaustion and overwhelm. I've hit that point in the school year when I'm working every day all day during school hours and then facing that I have much more to do each night. I really love my job, but it's a lot right now. I've just started teaching a Foundational Stories mini-unit that touches on Greco-Roman mythology and then focuses on Biblical text: Genesis, primarily, but also some excerpts from Exodus and from the Gospels. The purpose behind this unit is primarily to give them the foundation they need to catch at least a few of the allusions that turn up in the Western Canon. As I told them in class today, reading the vast majority of the Western Canon without having at least a basic understanding of some Classical and Biblical stories is a little like going to see
Wicked
without ever having seen
The Wizard of Oz.
(They liked that comparison.)
But because it is such an important and controversial topic and I have never been a Western Civ. specialist, I decided I needed to research and study my ass off. I've bought over a hundred dollars worth of books, including my very own copy of an English translation of the Torah, and have been reading and reading and talking with experts at school and discussing religious/historical/geographical connections. It's been a ton of fun (and hey, I'm always up for an excuse to buy books!), but it's also been incredibly time-consuming.
When I add that to the normal grind of the school day, I don't have much time left to grade...and that's a problem since they took an in-class essay test on Friday that they are
dying
to get back. Since I now have to shift gears from preparing the unit to actually teaching it, grading is still going to be difficult to fit into my schedule.
No hugs needed. I'm quite excited to be learning and reading and teaching this unit, and I'm really enjoying the process. I just don't have much energy for the grading component and am not quite sure how it's going to happen.
So, basically, I can haz brane now, pls?
