Posted by Civilian Karina Enger (Director of Education) in Educational Growth

Posted by Civilian Runa Siff McKenzie (Teacher) in Educational Growth

Posted by Civilian Karina Enger (Director of Education) in Educational Growth
Posted by… suppressed (19) by the Post Ghost! 👻
If it wasn’t one thing it was another. Increased security for every educational facility and special attention to children of ‘notable’ personages. Luckily Karina had a head of security to help coordinate all of that, and he was excellent at his job. So at the moment that was one thing off her desk. Commencement was coming up soon, but that was not her immediate concern. Today, today she had the children of roughly 6,000 families to get enrolled, a large number of potential new employees, planning for new educational facilities to hold them all, and finally getting to meet Dr. Runa McKenzie-Edman in person. It was going to be a very long day, and would probably stretch into the next. She had book the assembly hall at the university for this, to try and hold everyone. She gathered her PaDDs, told her assistant to hold all her calls and requests for the day, and then made her way across campus to meet with the guidance counselors, HR, and all the new arrivals.

Enger, DOE

They came all together, in an almost massive flood of people. Runa watched the different staff as they came in, and didn’t seem to stop. They couldn’t all fit in the area, so the parents and children (the ones who couldn’t be left at home) stayed outside and just Runa and the teachers went in. The university campus was big enough to allow the parents to let the children run. Runa spotted Director Enger quickly and made her way to the front of assembly hall. “Director Enger, it’s good to finally meet you in person. Where would you like to start? The staff or the students?”

Runa, ECE Director

That was a lot of people. Karina loved it. “Let’s start with the children. Let them and their parents be able to go home instead of waiting all day.” Karina called to a couple of the counselors who walked over. “Liam take the elementary parents. Start with those who have children with them. Pavara and Hider help him. Buxzy, Mhkvu, and Chris take the middle grades. The rest of you start with the high school students.”

The all separated out and one went out to ask for them to make groups. Karina noticed that the teachers who had arrived with Dr McKenzie had moved to join the counselors and assist with the administrative tasks.

Enger, DOE

It took the entire morning and the better part of the afternoon and they still weren’t finished getting the children enrolled. Dr McKenzie had done a lot of prep work along with the teachers to make the process easier. It had made a tremendous difference, but it was just a lot of people. “We’ll have to pick back up again tomorrow. Unfortunately, we don’t have the space or the staff to add them all in.”

Enger, DOE

“How about this, the Federation has rules for private education.” Runa tapped her cheek in thought. “We’ve been doing distance learning and collaboration with the schools here for the whole trip. Why don’t we continue doing that? You continue to be the oversight body for the home education. We’ll continue to teach the children until spaces become available, and you are able to onboard the educators that have moved here with us. That way their education continues, they don’t fall behind, and Oed isn’t flooded with new students it isn’t prepped for? We can transition them a little at a time. I would suggest we start with the highschool students. That way they have time to finish any outstanding requirements that haven’t been met before their projected graduation.”

Runa

Karina considered, “I think that will work. Once we have all the children enrolled and listed as homeschooled, then we can work on the hiring process for the teachers.” It was a good compromise and would give the children time to adjust to Oed. “Now, what about you? I know you have quite a lot of responsibility. When do you want to begin working for me?”

Enger, DOE

Runa nodded, “It will take a few days to get everyone settled, but how about the end of the week, I come by and we can hash out all of those details?”

Runa

“I think that will work best.” Dr McKenzie had been looking over their policies and procedures and working over comms with them for several months now. They finished with the highschool children and then were able, easily to update the files on the location of the rest of the children and extend the permissions for home education.

Later that week, Karina was in her office at the government tower waiting for Dr McKenzie to arrive. It was quieter there and she was less likely to be interrupted than if they had met at the University.

Enger, DOE

Runa was shown in as soon as she arrived. “Director Enger,” she greeted with a smile and shook her hand. She took a seat at the small table when the woman offered. “I’ve been going over some of the suggestions I made and the questions have. How have those been going?”

Runa, ECE Director

Karina smiled, “Well you know how educators are. They are all experts and know what works for their students and in their classroom. It’s been a bit of a struggle. However, that being said, now that the new buildings are finished, the excitement of a brand new facility has made the changes much easier.”

Enger, DOE

“Oh, I know. From both sides of it. It feels like people are questioning what you are doing and your expertise. And usually there is a lack of funding so when they come up with ideas it’s ignored or passed over. That doesn’t seem to be the case here, however.” She glanced over the PaDD, “The specs of the new buildings look good. I think the children will love it, and the teachers will as well, once they get used to it.”

Runa, ECE Director

Karina sipped her coffee, “No, we have been very … for… fortunate in our budget. What has really limited us before was the dome and room for expansion. Now that is not a problem. We’ll take a tour of one of the new facilities today.” She picked up a PaDD and passed it over, “I had a request for an ECE center at a new business coming to Oed. Any relation?”

Enger, DOE

Runa looked over the request and then grinned. “Yes, my sister. Our clan owns a meadery and she’s planning to have another one here on Oed. I think it’s a wonderful idea. Children and their parents benefit from having extended time together when they are young, but the reality is sometimes parents need to work. Having their children close by allows for those close relationships to foster and become stronger. Not to mention the benefits of reduced stress and worry, and improved performance for the parents.”

Runa, ECE Director

“I like the idea,” Karina said slowly, “But the idea of children around alcohol is a tricky situation.” Really it wasn’t, but Karina was interested to see how Runa approached the opposition. “We also have to be examples of how to act and behave.”

Enger, DOE

“That really depends on the culture. Klingins serve bloodwine to their toddlers, Deltans serve wine at every meal for everyone. Vulcans do not indulge in anything alcoholic ever. Andorians partake very little because of its effect. They monitor the first consumptions closely. Tellerites don’t drink alcohol; they eat it tgrough fermented mash and fruits. It’s all about the culture. However, the children would never be served the product. They wouldn’t be allowed into the leaders proper either. That would be a safety hazard. I know this because we have a similar facility on Earth. I would suggest you speak to Ragna McKenzie about any specific concerns you have before approval.”

“You make good points, and if there is a facility then it would be up to the parents to decide if they want their children there.”

Runa smiled, “I can say you will find it up to my standards, since I developed the center on Earth and ran it for many years.”

Runa, ECE Director

“So because she is your sister, you approve?” Karina was playing devil’s advocate.

Enger, DOE

Runa laughed, “Hardly. My sister is as capable as anyone else to make mistakes and not be fully informed. However she does her best to make the best decision. She also won’t be running the educational center. She simply wants to provide one for her employees. She will hire and expert that is approved by OED Educational Board to run and maintain the facility. She would be just as happy to simply provide the facility and let you have complete control over everything that goes on within it.”

Runa, ECE Director

“It is not unprecedented on OED to have such facilities. The mines are a good example. Families want to stay together, so we opened schools for the children of those families. We have very specific rules for how they must operate,” Karina said. “So as long as she can meet those standards, I have no problem allowing such a facility for her employees.”

Enger, DOE

“I’m sure she’ll be willing to adhere to any regulations. I can’t really say more than that. The meadery is her project and her domain. It’s not something I have any say so in. Ragna would be rather upset if she thought I was influencing her application in anyway.” Runa thought it was funny because they all were so closely woven into each others lives, but she also understood. Being so close, they also needed their own things, their own identity.

Karina raised a brow in question. Most people didn’t look at having a teacher in the family as a way to get favors.

“She’s my little sister,” Runa explained.

Runa, ECE Director

“Ah, now that does make sense. Younger sisters tend to have a need to prove themselves. Well I will set up a meeting with her, and we will see what needs to be done to move forward.” Karina looked at her PaDD, “Now, I know I sent you the applications we received for our open ECE positions. Did you have any thoughts on those?”

Enger, DOE

Runa flicked through her PaDD for the notes she made. “Seelir, zh’Geunist, and Lu’v all look strong. Kud’jst concerns me. When I did an interview, one thing sticks out. When I asked what experience she had with birth aged children, she said none, but she taught high-school for many years, and they were babies so how hard could it be?”

Runa, ECE Director

“Hmmm, that is not a good answer.” Karina pulled up the application, “No training in ECE either. Did she say why she wanted to make such a dramatic change?”

Enger, DOE

Runa hadn’t forgotten, but she glanced at her notes anyway. “She loved teaching but wanted something less demanding than high school.”

Runa, ECE Director