I've made the decision to leave my job.
Yesterday, I felt I was underminded yet again and, when I complained about it - to someone who has given me nothing but praises inthe past two years (and yes, I deserved all of them) - she backed up the underminer. Truthfully, it really wasn't even a complaint as I'm very professional and have been around for a long time, it was more of a - this occurred and I'm not certain why, please advise.
The bottom line is this, when I joined this organization two years ago, I was told they wanted someone who was very independent and a self starter, which I am. The first few months of me working here, I literally was told, this is sort of how this program runs but, we're open to any new thoughts and suggestions you may have. When I came up with said thoughts and suggestions it was always - cool! Love that idea. I don't recall there ever being a problem with anything I've ever done and if anything, my ideas may have been added to - by people who have more experience than I - but NEVER shot down, NEVER. In fact, I was liked so much that I was given a promotion after less than a year of working for said organization and was even told on more than one occassion - you don't have to check in with everything you want to do, just summarize your doings in an email every so often- (which I took to mean about twice a week) and no one EVER said anything about it. (Now, I seem to have developed a problem with communication.) That style of working has worked for me and been effective for the programs. I have increased enrollment, attendance and retention to the highest levels EVER in the history of all the programs I manage. I have created the most diverse and engaging programs for the children (hence high enrollment and attendance) and please keep in mind, my programs are for children in the middle - high school age range, children who DON'T have to come to these kinds of programs because the can run the street, be unsupervised but, they CHOOSE to come because of the changes I have made. Also, and I have been told this on more than one occasion, I've bought a great deal of professionalism to the programs - something the "higher ups" felt was missing before I took over (home - program relations, -school - program relations, - outside agency - program relations) and, since I cleaned house with staff and hired new people, I was told - your staff is the most professional we've had at these programs, blah, blah , blah. And, it's all true.
Now, in the middle of a school year, a position is created for someone who has a TOTALLY different management style than anyone I've ever worked with. Even as a fresh out of college 20 year old teacher I was told - go teach kid- and given pointers along the way. This person calls CONSTANTLY throughout the day. Actually asked me once why I wasn't at my desk (there is such a thing as peeing, meetings, lunch, stretching ones legs, etc.) and basically micro-manages me. I am not a micro-managing type person, I never have been and never will be. That is not my way. I've never had issue with anyone who was a supervisor of mine. I have letters of recommendation applauding me and evaluations specifically noting how I am adaptable, take criticism well and am eager to learn from those with more experience.
It is at the point where the other day, I had a dream about this woman. That is way too much for me. I am done. My health and well being are way more important than any job.
Now the scary part. After stringent calculations, I have about 5 months worth of money on which to live. Technically, if I need to, I can live off of my tenants rent but, with all of the repairs I've had to do in the house and with the possiblity that ANYTHING may happen at ANYTIME in here, I think its best I not do that.
So, I have already begun the search. The good part about this job is that with all of the conferences and meetings I must attend, I've made lots of contacts. I've already sent my resume off to people who I've met. And, if worse comes to worst, I can always return to the classroom.
So, my letter is typed, signed and is going in on Friday morning. Wish me luck.
