April 28 is a special day for the unsung heroes of the office. It isn’t a big holiday like Easter or Christmas, but those being commemorated are surely . . .
deserving of recognition: it is Administrative Professionals’ Day, otherwise known as Secretaries’ Day.
When you think of secretaries, the image of a person sitting at a desk answering phones all day might come to mind. While that is one task they perform, there is much more to being a secretary than meets the eye.
At Pontiac High School, there are not one, not two but three diligent women waiting to help you with any administrative needs. Debbie Stafford, Samantha Masseau and Shelley Provost have worked at PHS for a combined 24 years.
“We in the office all have our own specific duties but help each other out when and where we can,” Stafford wrote on behalf of the group.
However, since the pandemic began, they have had to work from home. They agreed that it has made them realized how important technology is to their job.
“Working from home comes with challenges but we are learning that we are fairly versatile people and I think now, we will be able to work through just about anything,” Stafford wrote. “It’s not just hard on the students, but some days working at home isn’t always great. You need to rely on the internet that in the area isn’t the greatest some days.”
On the other hand, what is the best part of the job? Working with students and staff to help them succeed. Interacting with so many people means working in a social environment and forming bonds, which is a far cry from the potential image of a secretary seated at a desk alone.
“The best part of our job is dealing with the students for various reasons. They make us smile!” said Stafford. “As we open the door for them in the morning and say good morning and get, maybe one of their first smiles of the day, it brightens ours. Another part is working with great people.”
In the end, secretaries are the hard-working and organized staff that keep the office going.
“Being a secretary isn’t just answering phones. You create a bond with some of these students and people. You can be sounding board, nurse and secretary all in a day,” she said.
