I Quit My Job
I was working at a Preschool Daycare as an assistant teacher. On Tuesday, November 27th, at around 10:42 in the morning, we had a practice fire drill. The class I was made to substitute for on this day usually has two teachers, and I was filling in for one of them. At the time the fire drill happened, I had seven kids in the play area. The lead teacher had seven kids with her making lunches.
The director blows her whistle representing a fire drill and I tell the kids, “Alright guys, practice fire drill, line up, let’s go outside!” Some go outside, there is one who continues playing. Being by myself and trying to be quick, I grab him and take him outside. Meanwhile the kids started playing with some of the outdoor equipment. The director walks in.
“Why are the children not in a straight line outside?!? Why are they playing?”
I respond with, “I told them to stay in a straight line, I went to grab one of the kids that continued to play despite my warning.”
The owner/director says, “Where is the attendance binder?”
I said, “It’s inside, I didn’t bring it, I was trying to be as quick as I could to keep the kids in line.”
She responds with, “You are not following the fire drill procedure!”
I said, “Yes I am following the procedure to the best of my ability based on the circumstance.”
She says, “What would State and Licensing say to your excuse?! You need to bring the binder.”
I said, “I’m pretty sure saving a child is more important than a binder, I left it, I was trying to be as quick as I could be.”
The owner replies with, “You are arguing with me!!! Stop!”
I calmly say, “No, I’m trying to have a conversation where I make a statement and then you make yours.”
The director says, “Nooo.... you are not listening! You must be able to control seven kids!”
I say, “What do you think? That these 2-3 year olds are robots?”
She says, “Don’t come to me with your robot story or you wouldn’t even be in this country. I will write a note that you are not following the fire drill procedure.”
I said nothing, then my body processed all the information at around 4 p.m. and I reasoned the wisest decision I could make was to walk out and quit on the verge of feeling disrespected as an employee and human individual.
The director blows her whistle representing a fire drill and I tell the kids, “Alright guys, practice fire drill, line up, let’s go outside!” Some go outside, there is one who continues playing. Being by myself and trying to be quick, I grab him and take him outside. Meanwhile the kids started playing with some of the outdoor equipment. The director walks in.
“Why are the children not in a straight line outside?!? Why are they playing?”
I respond with, “I told them to stay in a straight line, I went to grab one of the kids that continued to play despite my warning.”
The owner/director says, “Where is the attendance binder?”
I said, “It’s inside, I didn’t bring it, I was trying to be as quick as I could to keep the kids in line.”
She responds with, “You are not following the fire drill procedure!”
I said, “Yes I am following the procedure to the best of my ability based on the circumstance.”
She says, “What would State and Licensing say to your excuse?! You need to bring the binder.”
I said, “I’m pretty sure saving a child is more important than a binder, I left it, I was trying to be as quick as I could be.”
The owner replies with, “You are arguing with me!!! Stop!”
I calmly say, “No, I’m trying to have a conversation where I make a statement and then you make yours.”
The director says, “Nooo.... you are not listening! You must be able to control seven kids!”
I say, “What do you think? That these 2-3 year olds are robots?”
She says, “Don’t come to me with your robot story or you wouldn’t even be in this country. I will write a note that you are not following the fire drill procedure.”
I said nothing, then my body processed all the information at around 4 p.m. and I reasoned the wisest decision I could make was to walk out and quit on the verge of feeling disrespected as an employee and human individual.
31-35, F
