Wednesday, January 17, 2007

They Actually Pay Me to Do This

Three times a week, five six week sessions per year, I am paid decent money to run a storytime for toddlers [19 months - 3 years]. Storytimes are part of my responsibilities here, as well as class visits (they usually pass me any visits involving Kindergarten or under), plus the specials I do for families, school age kids, etc. Some of the staff act like programming is such a chore, but I LOVE it! They pay me to read stories, sing and dance, do puppet shows, do crafts, etc. with very nice, appreciative people. In honesty, of course I get tired of being "on" sometimes, but for the most part doing the storytimes and other specials is one of the best things about my job.
What is the best thing you get paid to do?

11 comments:

Tara said...

Excellent question!

I get paid to edit resumes, which can be rewarding most of the time. Most of the students take my edits to heart. I also get to pretend that I'm a potential employer so that students who are about to graduate can practice their interview skills.

Lastly, I get paid to search the internet for companies who might be looking for employees with the skills our students are learning.

I think I would love doing what you do, though. Especially putting on puppet shows for the kids!

Anonymous said...

I would love to corrupt, erghh entertain the kiddies, that would be fun.

I get paid to tell people, at times, "that they cannot do that".

I also get paid to have "magic powers" sometimes--this when I call a company and get the "who is this?" (in a somewhat cynical voice ) and I reply "Evil-E from the payroll company". They usually reply, "oh, hold on one second, I will get them" (in a giddy, happy voice)--I think this is my favorite observation on the phone.

laura b. said...

Tara: Your job sounds great! It is nice to provide a service that people actually appreciate, right? If you ever make it this direction you can come be my special guest puppeteer :-)

Evil-E: I would like being able to command the attention you do! Mention payroll and everyone's ears perk up!

Rachel said...

Wow...there isn't much variety in my job since I work in an inbound call center selling insurance.
I guess that the most rewarding part is when I am able to insure someone who has just been unable to find insurance and had spent hours looking for a company that was willing to help them. I find this in Florida a lot.
I have had people cry they were so happy. I guess that with all of the crap I deal with over the phone that the really appreciative customers make my day.
Oh, and I am in charge of internal office relationships so charing the Secret Santa exchange was a lot of fun. Especially since I got some free movie tickets to do it.

laura b. said...

Rachel, I would think working at an inbound call center would be much better than selling insurance through outgoing calls. People call you...they WANT someone to sell them insurance. It is great to feel appreciated.
Internal office relationships...how can something so business-like sound so naughty? haha!

FW said...

I have to travel to places I'd never get the time to visit and see ordinarily. I like being on the move, people watching and experiencing different food and drink in different places. Also meeting and working with a new cast of people over time is fun too. Getting to know them a little bit to build a good working relationship hopefully. I have to think a lot in my job and the brain exercise is god for me too.

laura b. said...

FW, being on the move sounds wonderful. Being stuck inside one building all day is one of my least favorite parts of my job.

Rachel said...

Just be glad that I didn't use the official cheesetastic title for it.
The Get-Along-Gang or as I refer to it G.A.G.
I SO did not vote for that name!!

laura b. said...

Too funny, Rachel! I am forced to wonder what sort of minds thought that was a great title...

Mrs. Hairy Woman said...

Since you run storytimes maybe you can pass on some hints to help TCP be more interested when I take him to the library for storytime every week..and for reading at home.. Each session is about 6 weeks long then a break in between.. then another starts up. I was going to session but he is the oldest and it wasn't his cup of tea nor mine.. so I have switched him over to the older class.. It's all free.. and there is a playtime after.. I read to him all the time but find it hard to keep him interested.. I do read an ecclectic mix of stories and each week I get some new books from the library.. too bad you didn't live near me...

laura b. said...

Babybull: We find that it can be hard to divide the storytimes into really perfect age divisions. Sometimes a few months makes such a big difference at that age, but only so many storytimes can be offered due to time and staffing. So, you are right to try out different groups if your little guy is on the bubble from one group to another. I find that for toddlers, consistancy is my best friend. They love knowing exactly what is going to happen next from week to week. Of course it is great that you introduce your son to many different books, but make sure to indulge him when he starts to get favorites that he wants to read over and over and over and over again. I would love to have you and TCP at my storytime :-)