I know where you come from.

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I know where you come from.
By Opal

I graduated from college in 1994. My first year out I spent as a substitute teacher. In July of 1995 I was hired as a teacher's aide. I was just so happy to be working. I kept applying for teaching positions and even
got a few interviews but nothing happened at first. After being a teacher's aide for three years at the same school, I was moved up (in a sense) to school secretary because everyone there knew me to be hard working, trusting, and knew I could do just about any job I was faced with. Still applying for a teaching position with no luck, I was a school secretary for two years. While being

a sec. I went back to school to get a teaching endorsement for additional grades to better my prospects. After 6 years of graduating the first time, I finally got a job teaching at the school I'd been an aide and sec. at. I was thrilled. I went in excited and full of energy.
While being an aide and sec. I also had a teacher who looked down upon me and didn't always treat me as an equal. They ended up being my mentor teacher during my first year as a teacher. I looked at this as a great opportunity to learn and draw on their experience as a veteran teacher. I figured that they would treat me as an equal and I always have been the type person to treat others how I want them to treat me. Sadly my story doesn't end happy. I was mistreated and was not hired back for a second year. That's my problem however and not the point of my story.

The point to my story is, however, don't give up. Everyone who works at a school is there for one purpose. To educate children. It doesn't matter in what capacity your doing it, as long as you are doing a good job. Many people at that school still think of me highly and know I can do a good job, and I consider them friends. I earned that reputation and their respect while being an aide and a sec. Just keep that in mind. One day you may be up for a teaching position at your school, they are going to consider your work and attitude when you were an aide when deciding whether or not to hire you as a teacher. Also, hiring committees talk to each other. Co-workers at the school your at may be contacted as references for a possible job at another school. As for that one teacher that gets on your nerves, overlook them. Let them be the petty one, not you. Treat them with extra kindness as an effort to let them know they're bad attitude doesn't really affect your outlook on life.