For 22 years, when de Toledo students need help with anything involving forms, meetings, injuries, and bus tickets, the first place they go to is the front desk where the first person they talk to is Barbara Edberg.
Edberg is the school’s administrative assistant. This job involves many various tasks, notably responding to student problems and questions. Edberg and the office staff understand the importance of taking care of the students.
“[Students] can always come to the office for anything that they need, and if we’re not the ones that can give them an answer or take care of their problems, then we will know who to direct them to so that they can handle their issues,” said Edberg in a recent interview.
de Toledo does not have an official school nurse, but Edberg and the rest of the front office staff are, more or less, the school’s medical team. “We are all trained in CPR and first aid and then we have our personal experiences,” Edberg said.
In Edberg’s case, she is not simply an office employee who knows CPR; after spending many years as a medical assistant in various locations, Edberg worked as a chiropractor before becoming a stay-at-home mom and finally, de Toledo’s administrative assistant.
“When students come with any kind of medical issue, we talk to them, we get a little bit of history, we find out what’s wrong and then if there is anything we can help them with, we do,” said Edberg. “If not, then we refer them…either calling their parent, or if it’s an emergency type situation then we will call 911. We will let security know as well since they have their training too.”
911 and security are last resorts, but Edberg acts differently for different situations.
“Sometimes someone has just tripped and fallen, and sometimes we just have to apply ice. Obviously if there’s something more serious…where someone broke a bone or they’re bleeding, something that can’t be stopped easily with a Band-Aid or something, or there’s a burn situation or whatever then obviously 911 or a parent has to be called,” she said.
Along with handling medical situations, Edberg also works behind and in front of the scenes, giving us many things we simply take for granted.
Besides responding to students’ problems, answering questions, managing forms, and assisting teachers, Edberg and the front office staff are also responsible for the daily bulletin, Jag-now, the lunch orders, and Mr. Shpall’s schedule.
Edberg’s least favorite task is reminding people to turn in forms: “Well, we try emails, we try phone calls, then we talk to the deans, and, you know, try to get it that way. And if it’s trip-slip related, and if the trip slip doesn’t come in, and the student unfortunately doesn’t get to go on the trip, which is unfortunate…we try to make it as, you know, smooth as possible for everybody.”
Edberg also gets frustrated when students show up in her office and don’t say anything.
“It would be helpful if they would say their name and why they’re there,” Edberg said. “But, I mean, I pretty much know most of the students, so I kind of anticipate that. But sometimes I think it would just be good for students to speak for themselves.”
Nonetheless, Edberg very much enjoys working to help students. “[My favorite part of the job is] being with the students, being with the teachers, the staff. I just really enjoy everybody here. Everybody’s very kind, very friendly. It’s a great school. It’s a great environment to be in, and I appreciate all that and am grateful for it.” Barbara Edberg is a crucial, yet sometimes unappreciated, part of the school team. As a school, there is no student who doesn’t rely on Edberg for something. The school would certainly not run without her.
