When you think of a school, you probably picture students and teachers in a classroom. You may also think of helpers like coaches, cafeteria staff, bus drivers, maintenance crews, and even the principal. But a group you probably never think about are the people who actually make everything that happens inside a school possible: the administrative assistants, who work so hard behind the scenes to make sure everyone has exactly what they need to do their jobs well.
Wednesday April 24 is Administrative Professionals Day, our national day to celebrate the secretaries, assistants, and other administrative staff whose crucial work at an organization often goes unnoticed by the general public. These men and women help manage schedules, communications, budgets, records, inventories, and everything else that an organization needs to function. The great irony of their jobs is that the better they do them, the less likely anyone is to notice, which is why it’s so important for us all to stop and take a moment to thank them for everything they do.
Not every important job is also a highly visible job, which is a vital lesson for children to consider as they think about their own potential careers. Many jobs are “behind the scenes” jobs, but just because they’re not public-facing, that doesn’t mean the public doesn’t benefit from their efforts. For example, when you watch a live concert or a stage play, you may not notice the dozens of set designers, stagehands, costumers, and technicians who are literally working behind the scenes, but without their efforts the show literally couldn’t go on. The same can be said for the millions of administrative professionals who keep our country’s schools, hospitals, offices, and other organizations running smoothly.
I’d like to take this moment to personally thank the administrative professionals of the Baldwin–Whitehall School District. Their effort, insight, and experience enable our administrators, teachers, and staff to perform at their very best each day. While our students and parents may never interact with them directly, their impact is felt in every school calendar, at every live event, and on each piece of correspondence that helps keep us all informed, organized, and connected.
I also invite you to take a moment and talk with your children about all of the jobs they don’t see, but whose efforts make the things they enjoy possible. Encourage them to recognize and appreciate the behind-the-scenes workers of the world, and also to value the talents they bring to the table, such as good communication, organization, time management, and “people person” skills. The people who put those talents to use professionally may not always make the headline news, but the news definitely wouldn’t happen without them.