I anticipated the period between 26 June to be a trying period..
But not to this extent.
Let me try to explain the situation..
Prior knowledge first!
There are supposed to be 6 tchs (3 eng and 3 chinese) at the centre excluding the boss to function comfortably.
1 supervisor (eng tch) left since the start of the year, and another chinese tch converted to do a (second) half day daily. So that leaves 4.5. To replace the first, a teacher undergoing training was found. But she is on course 95% of the weekdays. I have no idea why she employed. So as her stand in, an untrained tch was found. She is having her uni hols and she comes in on an adhoc basis. So one of the poor classes is compromised to the greatest extent. And that gives us a really unstable 5.5 staff of which 4 are trained.
part of what I am trying to say is, the mess has been since the start of the year (<- this is an understatement. it was clearly from last Aug that we have not been stable) and we have been "expected to be understanding". with n no. of teachers coming in and out, working for 1 day/week/month and then leaving; all the full/part timers and trained/untrained tch coming and going..... point to note, i am not saying that untrained staff (help) is not good, just that there are too many limitations (cannot take class alone, cannot take k levels, cannot this, cannot that....). and they are always attached to my class (youngest but with most miscellaneous things to attend to) and I have been "taken for granted" that I can adapt and need to train each of them....and watch them leave.
on 26th June, is another eng tch's last day. she was acting as supervisor and we all know there will be a supervisor to take her place. but this is not all.
24th June: my other closest colleague (chinese tch) tendered her resignation
25th June: rumours of new sup pregnant
26th June: departure of our "acting supervisor"
27th June: confirm sup's pregnant, told to plan schedule, timetable- this became my job naturally
29th June: sup's first day, doesn't look positive
30th June: sup's not here, her hubby here with her medical report from the previous day. she's not working anymore. plan subsequent tchs working schedule, class timetable
1st Jul: cont'd to plan subsequent tchs working schedule, class timetable. tasked to post ad for recruiting teachers- don't know since when is this my job. one part timer's (works half a day only) first day.
2nd Jul: packed all the k level homework and paperwork. continued posting ad. reaslied sat working schedule for july not out and informed the boss. she then asked me to plan- so last minute!
3rd Jul: all timetable and schedule printed and distributed. then i discovered for the whole of next week untrained teacher is not coming in. great re-plan everything. quarrel btwn boss and colleague on this day. staff training on monday cancelled- no work.
4th Jul: i worked alone because too last min. boss say she bringing her daughter for health check on mon and tues so she's not coming in (<- major faint). informed of new child coming in in Aug or Sept. she had to insist we have sufficient staff and she wants to move 2 of the N1s up to N2 in advance- let me just simply say that this is a really rash and irrational decision.
6th Jul: no work. went to watch minions with sister. completed all my marking and lesson plan (phew!). was going for dinner with family. called received from boss. her daughter staying in hospital, she's not coming for the rest of the week. tasked to contact someone who came for interview to come and work- since when is this my job. told to liaise as it would be easy but that person say she can't come, found new job. re-plan all timetables and schedule. cont'd appearing positive to colleagues.
7th Jul: day of madness taking 2 classes tgt- of which one i don't take at all. plus i know there's birthday party of fussy parent's kids- how to appear we are fine when we are so short handed?!
8th Jul: hectic day at work- boss pushing for national day party details. tasked to type circular (letter to parents)- since when is this my work?!
9th Jul: hectic day at work as usual.
10th Jul: boss won't be in in the pm. she got some ex parent to come in and help. the thing is, we need trained tchs who can take a class alone!!
So, after so much "ranting"..
What does this teach me/ shouts in my face?
THINGS ARE NOT IN MY CONTROL.
Reminders from God in this period:
17th June: Know how to share your problems. God wants me to be happy too; not miserable.
24th June: Even when I don't say a thing, others can feel and they know and they are praying for me. God would know even better!
30th June: In all circumstances, give thanks.
1st Jul: Approach His throne remembering His love for me and everyone. Circumstances may have changed but God will not change.
5th Jul: In Christ alone I place my trust, and find my glory in the power of the cross. In every victory, let it be said of me, my source of strength, my source of hope, is CHRIST ALONE. (THIS IS SO TRUE CAUSE EVERYDAY IS A BATTLE AND IN EVERY VICTORY MAY I SAY WHATEVER'S IN THE SONG)
8th Jul: He has set the universe in place- what are my problems to Him? Chicken feet!
THINGS ARE NOT IN MY CONTROL. THEY ARE IN GOD'S HANDS.
Upcoming:
Boss won't be in town 15 July- 8 Aug
Birthday parties on: 10, 16, 23, 24, 30 July- how are we going to appear fine in front of parents? how am I going to head the parties? this is a record breaking no. of celebrations in a month btw!
Parties: Hari Raya- 16 Jul, National Day- 6 Aug plus all the craft work we need to produce and preparations
THE DAY- 4 Aug (boss not back, cook on leave, full time chinese tch on home leave and that leaves us with barely 4 tchs of which 2 are untrained and 1 is unstable and 1 is going crazy?)
I have no idea how am I going to go through the next stage- I have other things I want to give priority to.
I feel that I'm stretched to my max already.
I feel that I am going to fall sick anytime.
I know that things are not in my hands,
I know that things are in God's hands.
I know that I got to draw strength from Him everyday.
I know that I can rely on Him to do all things.
GOD DOESN'T GIVE US WHAT WE CAN HANDLE,
GOD HELPS US HANDLE WHAT WE ARE GIVEN.
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