custodians, support staff

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2001 : July : 12

custodians, support staff
By Cathy-Dee

I agree with most of the other posts. Of course every school is different and so are the expectations. Our custodians do try to work around us, but they are also on a tight schedule, I sometimes work through the entire
time they are at school, and sometimes most of us have stayed after school to get work done, so they don't always have a choice.
The hierarchy in any school I've taught at is that the Principal is in charge of their positions in the same way he/she is in charge of my position. So if I do have a problem with any of the support staff I take the problem to him and he settles it.
I would

hesitate to go so far as to try to get a union involved, although changes might be made, the working environment would not be as pleasant in the end. I do think that when we treat support staff with respect we get respect back. I've seen many teachers look down on support staff and treat them as staff there to do their bidding. Why should the support staff turn around and show them respect?

I've never worried about having the "authority" to ask our custodians to not do my room because I need a quiet work area for awhile - we have a great working relationship - I talk to them about their families, their job, my job, we are colleagues. So they don't mind changing their schedule and routine if it will help me out once and awhile.