SAN FRANCISCO March 6, 1996 -- First impressions count a lot. How many people analyze with equal import their first impression of a workplace? Is it friendly? Is it comfortable? Is there a sense of open space? Is there a place for privacy?
When I think of my first impression of public education work environments I've been exposed to, the words that come to mind are: "Disorganized," "chaotic," "noisy," "crowded."
Upon taking my place as a teacher at a community college campus, I thought: So much for the idea of having a room of your own where you can go and close the door.
Administrators, not teachers, are those blessed with personal space and offices.
Few seem to understand that it's the teachers who hold educational institutions together. It's the teachers who work with students.
It's the teachers who expend all their energy in the classroom.
Administrators, whose salaries are double or triple that of a teacher, appear to be oblivious.
Some say the public school system model -- where from 12 to 30 or more teachers are jammed together in one teachers' prep room -- is the ideal environment for teachers to prepare for classes.
They say it allows them to exchange ideas.
Add a high noise level, endless chatter, gossip, personality conflicts, complaints, cliques and photocopiers breaking down, and you have instead a dysfunctional work environment. Some say it's more apropos to say "insane asylum."
Only once or twice in my life have I worked in an environment where a manager took concern with how people felt about where their desks were placed. Rarely have I ever been asked how much space and privacy I need to do my work well.
To be treated like a human is a luxury, perhaps, in this age where jobs are scarce. Still, I think it's essential.
I'm a firm believer that workplace environment can kill.
First impression of public education: Countless ailments, allergies, headaches, teachers not feeling well, people complaining of not enough air, bad odors, perfume, colon cancer, hip replacements, asthma. Mix this with personality quirks: Gossip, grudges, jealousies, mean-spirited behavior, lack of trust.
Ordinary everyday American neurotics? Or just symptoms of a work environment gone awry?
Surprisingly, though most of us are concerned about endangered species, many are too involved in their work or not sensitive enough to see environmental problems in the workplace.
Over time, these problems can take your health or shape you into something you didn't really want to be.
An unhealthy environment takes away life. A healthy one gives it back. Good to take note of first impressions. Then decide if it's worth it.
Copyright 1996 by Margaret Benshoof-Holler