It's an "I hate my job" day.

So, I have inservice coming up next Tuesday. This time I get to choose three of the following:

• How to do data analysis of SBA scores (I taught data analysis. For two years)


• How to use Power Point (been using it since 1997, and taught it at the university level)


• How to use Excel (Again, been using since 1997, taught to college freshmen)


• How to use a document camera (I don't have one)


• How to use a Smart Board (I don't have one)

Then I got an email saying that crisis intervention training was being offered that day to counselors and social workers and certain special education teachers. Now, there's something I could use! Mental health issues are rising among teenagers.

I wrote the principal and asked her if I could take this instead.

Her answer?

"No."

According to district, it's not training that teachers need. I must take the "approved" training for teachers.

Crisis intervention will be offered again, so I can take it then, I was told,

I've been given this same answer the last four times I asked to take this training. "No. Just wait. We have far more useful things for you to learn to do, like use programs you already know how to use, or how to use items that we can't afford to buy for you."

Your (and my) tax dollars at work: mandatory, useless training.

I know this is a common problem in a lot of workplaces, so I'm curious...

What's the dumbest mandatory training you've ever had to undertake for work?

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