help!

[jeni]

I have been working in the same daycare for a little over 2 years now and I just got a new co-teacher. I really liked the lady I worked with before, but I don't like the new girl at all. I have a really hard time telling people what to do. I don't know if I resent her because she took the other teachers place or if I really don't like her. If anyone has been through anything similar and might have any ideas or advice I would be eternaly greatful.

[Diane]

Originally posted by jeni
I have been working in the same daycare for a little over 2 years now and I just got a new co-teacher. I really liked the lady I worked with before, but I don't like the new girl at all. I have a really hard time telling people what to do. I don't know if I resent her because she took the other teachers place or if I really don't like her. If anyone has been through anything similar and might have any ideas or advice I would be eternaly greatful.


It might be a little bit of both. When I first graduated from High School I took over the secretarial job at the elementary school I had once attended. This other lady that had worked a year or two as a part time employee with the old secretary did't like me at all... It was obvious that she resented me and I knew it. I had own thoughts and way's of doing things and she was accustomed to doing everything the way THEY had always done it. I got to the point where I didn't like her either... it was pretty much a big power struggle. LOL I think it took us over 3 or 4 months before we actually started working well together. It's hard to work side by side with somebody for 2 years and then have somebody else come along and take their place. Have you thought about what you really don't like about her? Is their something about her that she does/doesn't do that bother's you the most? Does she seem to know what she's doing or does she need a lot of extra instruction/supervision from you? It could be that you may just need a little bit of time to adjust to each other... to get to know each other a little better. She may never be as good as the last teacher... but with a lot of help, understanding and patience from you... she might come pretty close. I hope this is something you can work out because it's awfully hard having to go to work every day and work beside somebody you don't especially care about.

[jeni]

Thanks for the advice. I thought about what you wrote and I think we'll be okay eventually. I think I'm trying to compare her too much to the other teacher. The new girl really does have some great ideas and does seem to be eager to learn. I found out today that she has never worked in day care before. I think maybe that's the problem. You're right, maybe with a lot of extra help she can be an awesome teacher. Thanks again for your help!