I’m open-minded to change. Doesn’t mean I’m not surprised by it. Which is why I’m surprised that my work trainee totally redeemed herself the day and a half following my last post. (I only get her 2 days, yesterday and today.)

I’d written that last post at noon, and it seems that at lunch, my trainee did some thinking and came back a different person. I had her swear all the witnesses yesterday afternoon and today, which she did without referring to her oath cards (which she probably didn’t have on her anyway), and the oaths went smoothly, including her directions telling them to be seated, state and spell their first and last names for the record, etc. This morning, she returned my notepad and showed me she’d brought her own, so she was prepared today. Despite her feeling mentally unprepared to take over our big ugly messy trial by herself (so I didn’t force her to), she did everything else I told her to — took correct notes, did the minute order, corrected the things I asked her to, filled out the exhibit labels, etc. And as for attitude, there was none.

She handed me her evaluation for me as a trainer (I was surprised I was even allowed to see it before she turned it in to a supervisor, but *shrug*), and then had the balls to say, “Thank you so much for these two days. I learned a lot. I’m sorry we started off on the wrong foot, but I’m happy we got past that and I want you to know I appreciate everything you showed me.” Gah. I smiled and said something about being glad she was cool about our tiff yesterday morning, and then she left for the day.

Her evaluation for me rated everything, on a scale of 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much s0), 5s across the board for being well-informed and explaining the job, for exhibiting work skills she felt she should pattern after, for being available or giving a resource when she felt in doubt, for allowing her to observe and then perform courtroom tasks. In the comment section, that requests her to write both positive and negative experiences, she wrote:

Positive part of this experience was finally getting to sit in on a trial. Negative part was that I came in mid trial and was unable to view a trial from beginning to end. Cindy is a great trainer, she gave me information that will definitely help during my training.

So I marked her “Acceptable” (as opposed to “Unacceptable”, my only other option) on all categories being evaluated. Here’s my attempt at honesty in back-handed compliments:

1. PRODUCTIVITY:
No calendar these days, but trainee did an extensive trial minute order on day 2 using her own notes, with minimal significant corrections. Minute order was completed before day’s end.
2. QUALITY OF WORK:
Day 2, trainee completed exhibit labels accurately and neatly. Trial notes are legible and complete.
3. WORK HABITS:
Trainee stayed late the evening of Day 1 to finish training. Very receptive to instructions and direction, but is honest in advising me when she’s not ready for a task (e.g. doing Day 1’s minute order or taking over courtroom prematurely at Day 2).
4. APPLICATION TO DUTIES:
Asks good questions to heighten her understanding of court proceedings (and computer system) and applies her learning immediately to her work.
5. ADAPTABILITY:
(no comment)
6. COURTROOM DEMEANOR:
(no comment)
7. ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS OR AFFIRMATIONS:
Despite not being prepared with her oath cards on Day 1, trainee nevertheless administered oaths to various witnesses from memory, even with stage direction, clearly and authoritatively.

BEFORE you all call me a wuss, lemme first tell you that in addition to the fact that she put in 100% today, lost the attitude, and apologized about yesterday morning, I also got this email from my supervisor today:

[Trainer 3] and Cindy,
enclosed are the instructions and Evaluation forms. Please get an eval to me either separately or jointly by Friday in the morning. I will go over it with the trainee that afternoon.

Thanks for training.
[supervisor]

I emailed back:

My understanding was that the trainee would not see our evaluations?

He replied:

No, it will be discussed with her on Friday. You can opt not to be in the room at the time. Your presence is welcome.

Gah! I can write a bunch of shit and not be there to deal with it, but then I also won’t be there to defend myself if her answer to my evaluation is, “She’s a psychotic bitch and has hated me right from the start for no reason. In fact, I think she’s racist.” My supervisor followed up his email reply to me with a phone call asking if I think she may not pass, because if it’s as serious as a no-pass grade, he and I can talk about it first. I told him no, it’s probably not that serious, I’m not comfortable being the one to determine whether someone passes or fails based on 2 days with me so I’ll just write my evaluation honestly and let the supervisors decide whether they want to delve deeper into it with me or the trainee.