This will never be a civilized country until we expend more money for books than we do for chewing gum. E. Hubbard

Keep on keeping on - the mantra for 2007.....great advise, you also might want to try "it is what it is" some things cannot be changed and we simply have to accept them

Thanks mykids for the positive advice and for sharing your experiences. The year ended on a positive not before vacation. The old sword of kindness. Hopefully, after a breather, we'll all start out with a smile and make it to spring break. On the upside, I've learned that it's not just me that's having issues with this lady. Keep on keeping on - the mantra for 2007. Thanks.

Take it from someone who just got finished dealing with the same type of issue. I provide "staff appreciation" for over 75 people on a regular basis. Just a couple of months ago one staff member basically bad mouthed my actions to another. I heard and was very upset with the whole episode. The longer I thought about it the angrier I got and I had decided to just quit (I've been at this for a long time - 4 years. I've also been dealing with this one persons bitterness for the last 2). But - after talking with a good friend I realized that this person was being the classic bully. Well, that sent me in a whole new direction. I wasn't going to let one person ruin it for the entire school. So - I've been "killing her with kindness" and she is like a deer in headlights! I LOVE IT! Petty - maybe. But it's working and I'm back on an even keel with my staff.

First and foremost, the secretary earned her power from her boss. Period. She is a longtimer and knows her place and has become the eyes, ears and heart of the school. You don't want to join her but is hard to beat her. So you smile and carry yourself higher than her. The kindness sword helps too.

I have been apart of our PTO through the good, bad and VERY ugly! The ugliest was the year the PTO purchased key chains for the teachers and our very unpopular Prez was handing them out to staff. As she walked away, they threw their $6 keychains away. The teacher my daughter had kept hers out of respect for me but told me it was hard to accept something from a Mom that had been so disrepectful to the Admin.
Fast forward to 2005 and again we had issues with the School Board and Admin. In the mix was the Asst. to the Director whom was at the top of the heated discussions. At one point the PTO invited the District School Board members to the school to talk about allegations and a list of improvments put forth to our school. The Asst. was furious we invited them and couldn't understand how we could do this to the Director. We (the parents) were just wanting to hear their side. That's it. By the next morning, I had 20 calls from teachers let alone e-mails asking me what was the meeting about last night. Spairing the rest of a turbulant year, it was the respect and honor of the teachers and staff that the PTO needed to earn. Not only that but our school board is only parents too so it was a double deal. Yes, the Asst. is still at our school but the DIrector has been replaced and I really think he has done so much to help the situation.

jurijeka, you gotta just keep on keeping on and not ever let her have any more power over you. You are the only person you can be. I am professional with the Asst. and have a waorking relationship with her....that's it. I thought I needed to be liked by everyone, at the end of everything I would rather be respected and regarded. You are THE ONLY one that can make that happen. It'll be easier than losing 20 lbs as a resolution

If teachers dont show appreciation where due, I would be wondering what kind of manners are they passing along - or lack of - to the kids in the classroom. Probably need to give them an extra dose of it at home to counterbalance what they learn - or learn badly - from other role models.