Almost daily diary!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Confidence

I try not to write about work but I am going to indulge this once.

It's not been a very enjoyable year as I have worked with a teacher who is very'self contained'.  I have often felt undermined, or under the thumb. But this is not the reason for this post.

The end of term play is almost upon us and teachers are asking for props to be made. I often get the job, I have the reputation for being 'arty' and I do like helping with that sort of thing. The trouble is they ask for the most impossible things! And the school, like most others, is as poor as a church mouse right now (or so they claim) so the resource cupboard is empty. There's only so much you can do with old cardboard boxes brought in from the wheely bins, and Sellotape!

Anyway, last week I was asked to make a giant inhaler, the sort used for asthma, bit much much bigger. I got going with my boxes, paper and tape. It took me much longer than it should have and when it was done I didn't think much of it. However I left it upstairs in the relevant place and moved on to other things.

Towards the end of the afternoon, one of the teachers I used to work with said to me "You know that inhaler?"
"Yes" I said "I didn't make a very good job of it did I?"
"Well I was going to say it looked fantastic!" He said genuinely enough.

I felt myself beam. Silly really, over a bit of cardboard and tape. But it was more than that. It's been a rough ride at work since last September, pretty rough elsewhere in parts too, and  I haven't had a 'thank you' or a 'well done' for a very long time. I hadn't realised how much confidence suffers in this situation. Just one person saying I'd done a good job, albeit ridiculous, made me feel really good for a moment.

It was a good moment.

I still have no idea what I'll be doing at work next term. What other job changes at the drop of a hat with no notice? I am hoping I will work with someone less controlling. Fingers crossed



10 comments:

Akelamalu said...

It's always nice to get a pat on the back - I hope you get more. :)

Steve said...

Onwards and upwards... always nice to have a much needed word of praise...!

Rob-bear said...

Appropriate recognition for a crafty lady, who is more than just crafty.
Well done.

Rubye Jack said...

Especially when I am doubting myself, I love getting a compliment and recognition. It can radically change my mood sometimes.

Tattieweasle said...

That's Brilliant and you deserved it. I would have no idea how togo about making an inhaler out of cardboard boxes or anything else for that matter. I so envy people who are arty!

Maggie May said...

I know what it feels like working in a school and how it can make you feel when pressurised to do so much and receive so little back.
I'm pleased your *inhaler* was praised though and it was noticed by at least one kind person.
It can be really miserable with the wrong people and extremely rewarding with the right ones.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Rose said...

I've always said it doesn't take much to make a teacher feel good about herself--a thank-you every once in awhile goes a long way. I don't have an artistic bone in my body, so I'm sure I would have been impressed by your inhaler, too. Gosh, I wouldn't have had the faintest idea where to begin to even make one:)

I thought you had changed jobs last year--are you still with the same controlling teacher? I hope you get assigned to someone more agreeable next term.

Suburbia said...

I took an extra job last year Rose, half a week in each, but now I'm back to just the one with the control freak! Fingers crossed for September!

Furtheron said...

just saying thank you, well done, or something like that can make someones day ... I shall go and look now for someone to thank for something :-)

Hope the job situation resolves itself well for you

Liz Hinds said...

wHY DID YOU HAVE TO MAKE A GIANT INHALER OUT - whoops - of cardboard?!

But I'm glad it was appreciated!