How Far Would You Go to Get Some Personal Desk Space at a Professional Job?

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Dear GR8-

I do think it was 'poor form' both in the manner in which you were notified...and the fact that you were not 'introduced' as a new member of the team...I would make a point to introduce myself...lol...but I am 'nervy' that way.

Having said that, I can say that here in my school district, space is at a PREMIUM! Come of the 'special' teachers have been relegated to converted CLOSETS as 'quiet'/testing space...or often use the library for small groups. Some of the schools here are older, but with the current state of the budget here (and many places I'm afraid) I do not foresee major building on...or changes at all.

Most of the 'special' teachers working at more than one school seem to have a big thing 'on wheels' that they wheel around with them. The idea of 'locker space' is a good one...not optimal I know...but some help I would think...

Best Luck!
Michele/cat

I've worked in a school that various specialists had to deal with the same exact situation, also being in the teacher workroom, which for lack of space was located in a corner of the cafeteria. Since you've looked and there's nothing out there right now, take on the challenge to make the best of it and don't take it personally (I doubt it is since there are others having to deal with the same situation.)

Since you are "owned" by the administration and not the school you are at, consider that the principal may have been as surprised as you that you would be working at his or her school (ours was.) With budget cuts, restrictions and lack of rooms he or she may actually be offering you the best environment they have, I don't necessarily think they are being unfair or disrespectful. Also, since you are "owned" by the administration I would talk to them about providing a locker you can lock for the materials you'll be needing and can't carry, (but then you'll have to find a safe place to store it) or a rolling suitcase/briefcase you can bring and take with you. Our district has a fund (not unlimited, but it helps) to offset the costs for necessary personal equipment.

For your personal desk stuff get a tote with a handle (there are so many in stores right now for all the kids starting college, and I have also found them in the "dollar" section at Target for $2.50) that you can carry from car trunk to your desk and back again easily, for your tea & mug, kleenex, snacks, pictures, etc.

I've been where you're at, no one talked to me personally which hurt, it was a hardship on my family and me, and it does tend to get frustrating. But it's a job, hard for some to get in this economy, so I wish you the best, hope you can make it work with little stress, and that your job search yields the job of your dreams✿

I know a couple of "specialists" who work for the school system and they deal with the same thing. One of them has worked at the same school for many years and she wears so many different hats that she never sits still long enough to really have a "space". She keeps certain materials in this spot, certain materials in that spot.
She is the GATE coordinator, she writes all the grant submissions for the school...that's just the tip of it. She has several rolling carts that she keeps her files in. She could never carry all that stuff. One year, she may share a space with the teacher who works with the kids who need speech therapy, the next year, she may share a space with one of the 3rd grade teachers. It just depends.
The school counselors who rotate schedules and travel to different schools all share a space. My own sister worked for the same school system for 14 years and she NEVER had a private desk.
In California, with so many schools closing and so many educators and educational "specialists" losing their jobs, flexibility is just part of it sad to say.
I know you feel that it's unfair and disrespectful for you not to have your own desk but thinking logically...is there room for 5-7 part time people to have their own spaces set up with room for personal belongings and pictures of their kids, etc?
I can't speak to the communication situation, or lack thereof, hopefully that will improve as you get more acquainted with the position, but I personally wouldn't make too much noise over the space sharing. Give it some time. It might not be what you are used to. It might not be the ideal situation, but you might find you can work with it.
If you truly feel you can't do your best work under those conditions, you have every right to resign the position and keep looking for something else.
Space sharing and rolling carts are pretty much the norm here in California.

Best wishes.

It sucks, yes.
But if a school does not have any extra space and are at capacity themselves, then, there is no "office" for you.
And you are a transient, employee.
It really is not foreseeable, that the school can reconfigure their rooms & campus, in order to create another 'office' and storage space, for one person who is not there all the time.

You should mention you have a hernia, so it is not conducive to dragging all your materials to their school, from your other school, everyday.

Now, a school has a budget too and a student/staff population.
Schools are often at their capacity limit, per classrooms availability and office space available. And they have school budgets.
They can't just make, another office.

At my daughter's school, they have a new high level employee there now. But there is NO office space for her. So she is now, just sharing cubicle space with another staff member. But the school, will have to actually BUILD... another building, for her "office." BUT, that won't happen just yet... because, school budgets have to be approved and monies allocated, just for that, just for that one person.
It is a WHOLE.... process. Just to create and build, and extra 'office.'

So, what you are dealing with, is a school that has no space for transient workers. And they told you this. And are suggesting alternate means, of accommodating, you.
Which is hard for them too.
The school apparently does NOT have, an extra "office" just for your use.
Thus, they offered the work room.

But they COULD have introduced you, at the meeting. Because you will be on campus now and then, per the criteria of what the "Specialists" do at their campus.
But you are not permanent staff at that one school... you go to various schools to service the children. And none of you, are there Full-Time.
Just sometimes.

So, having personal space.... for you, is not really that simple.

As a mom who's child recieves services this disgusts me, and no wonder why they are nearly a revolving door ... This is something I would fight ... can you file a grievance (sp) or something (never been in a union but married to a union man) ... This disgusts me and I would buy a personal locker (small) to keep those things in under the desk in the copy room in addition to that I would bring students that needed testing into the prinicpal's office for a quiet place ... she is more than welcome to stay or make her rounds on campus in my eyes. Viva Revolution!!! I would really work to fix this - this is worth making waves over just get creative to get your point accross.

This may not be ideal, but if they literally do not have any extra desks/space for you, do they have an empty locker they can assign you to keep your stuff in?

Tenured or not? That would make the difference in how I answer.

Been in your boat with the lack of phone and desk. Worked for a company that was having a majorrenovation and went from my own office with a big outside window, door to the outside world just feet away and about 45 or 50 sq feet. It was awesome. Flash to the renovation and I was stuffed in a 40 sq ft office with two other people with no window, a door to outside far away and all our monitors could be seen by everyone in the rrom and the cherry on my cake was no phone, just a line that went straight to voice mail. I don't have the best answer in the world because I left for a lower paying job one year into the two year renovation. Anyway I would remind the principal of FERPA and their responsibility to give you and the students some degree of privacy. I also think of the burden of dragging the files back and forth (even if you were physically able to do so) I think the principal is not thinking in that way. It seems you should have no more than what is reasonable to keep in an office so there you go... he needs to know in no uncertain terms how necessary this space is. I was wondering (figure you already thought of this but throwing it out there) if the school secretaries can help in the space finding endeavor. As a PTO member we always go through the secretary for logistical things because what the prinicipal seems to think is impossible gets done with her help