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Why did I volunteer?
First of all, let me say that I have had the most tiring last week. I have been proctoring and grading Regents exam which for some might seem like an easy task. Not the case when you have thousands of students and lots of incompetent administrators. And I stress the latter portion of that equation. Out of the three math Regents, I have done two of answer keys. The state provides a "rubric," but an answer key can help go through the steps that are needed. Mostly because I want them done accurately and correctly for my own students' benefit. (Also because there are some questions for which there are alternative methods that my colleagues don't always know about.)
So, my direct boss, is a reaaally nice guy. He is, however, very prone to being overwhelmed (which is why some of us step in to get things done). He also lacks some balls sometimes which is annoying because he hates to delegate and/or dictate when a project demands it. Today some of my students took a Regents and the room assignments were all messed up. Normally students are arranged in alpha order and it easy to see where they would go. Somehow the Excel file got messed up and students were not in the correct rooms. There were a few cases where there were too many students and not enough exams. You get the drift. After the exam, my boss and a bunch of other administrators were left cleaning up the mess that was made. I didn't even offer to help since I have done so much.
But, here's the thing. I have an AP class next year and they still haven't programmed the students for those courses. I am afraid that he is going to mess up that programming. So I offered to come in next week even though it's not the school year to help with that programming. On the one hand, it's my summer vacation and I should just let them deal with that stuff. On the other hand, I don't want it messed up and figure I might as well have my hand in it now so that I know it's done well for the fall.
I hate that I volunteered. Someone is going to owe me. Big time.
Re: Why did I volunteer?
Yes, the administrators make me cringe sometimes. Did you know that some have as a little as two years classroom experience? It boggles the mind.
Sometimes I just hate being a person that doesn't like things subpar and therefore does more to compensate for others' shortcomings. Some of my colleagues react by doing less and I wonder if that is the more intelligent approach to these sorts of situations. Just say, "it's not within my control" and accept the crappy results. I think of it as a lose-lose situation.
Sheesh!! Sorry you have to volunteer and come in during your time off. But that saying may be right; if you want something done, you gotta do it yourself.
And i'm sure you'll feel much better when it's done right.
My DH works at NYU's Dental School and i can't tell you *how* many times his department gets blamed for stuff that inept admins do or don't do! (he works in Facilities) Yet he has all this email documentation to back himself up cuz he knows that crap like this happens!! And he loves proving other people wrong.
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My boss always says that when you are a teacher you are treated the same by the admin if you work tons of overtime and volunteer for all the extra stuff or if you just sit in the classroom with your feet up on the desk and throw on a movie. It is really disheartening. I am sorry you have to go back in. However, please know that you are appreciated. We need as many dedicated teachers as we can get these days. GL!