Elementary School Teacher with PTSD?

[Upside Down Eagle]

Hey forum friends,

I started working with young kids last year and it´s fantastic.
I volunteer as an assistant in gardening lessons, and in my spare time I volunteer as group leader with a youth organization.

So far it´s been going pretty well. I can handle myself all-right with kids, although managing a group by myself is still too much.
The kids inspire confidence in me and my PTSD actually becomes more manageable when I´m playing around with them.

The things I studied are absolutely not engaging to me and I´d like to consider an education switch.
Are there any other elementary school teachers here? Insights on becoming a teacher with PTSD?

Rad

 

[Friday]

I started teaching on accident.

I was TA’ing at the University as part of my degree program (teaching classes that a professor is theoretically in charge of, although how involved they are, varies. Sometimes very much so >>> in the room, teaching whilst you assist (or jerk off), lesson planning, grading, test proctoring, etc. // Sometimes all of that is on the TA and the professor you just touch base with during office hours if any problems arise)...

...and homeschooling my son. >>> Led to teaching homeschool / independent study classes at the community center >>> which led to some of the parents asking if I’d teach part time at their school (you might be surprised how many teachers homeschool their own kids, instead of send them to school!)

... so I started teaching part time at one of the local private schools.

I LOVED it. All of it. I’d still be doing it if I hadn’t gotten divorced.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

That´s awesome.

I haven´t gotten much feedback here (except yours), and that´s okay, but I think I´m going for it.
The study is a mix of pedagogical sciences and didactic elementary school teacher courses.

After I could do a master´s program of remedial education.

I am really liking the idea of helping kids who have a shitty background.
I´d been wondering how to reach out to children from problematic families (basically, me) and help them get on their feet.

It might be really heavy. I hope it´s completely worth it.

 

[EveHarrington]

I think what your post has brought to my attention is that we can have the same disorder but suffer so differently. I personally could not have a job that involves kids, but it sounds like your symptom set allows for this kind of work, and it’s an area where you could possibly thrive. I guess what I’m trying to say is that if it’s something you want to do, and you’ve been getting experience which shows you can work with kids, then I say go for it. You’ll never know unless you try, and if you give up too soon, you may regret it later. :hug:

 

[blackemerald1]

It might be really heavy. I hope it´s completely worth it.

I take my hat off to you and hope you do well!! ^^I think that might be a yes to both but if the passion takes you there you will make it work. :)

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

Thank you!!

@Friday just out of curiosity

Did you ever get PTSD related symptoms in/after class -was it harder to teach because of PTSD?

Thank you @EveHarrington

Kids don´t trigger my symptoms. I find them really easy to work with. Generally (I bet I will get my ass kicked sometime soon). I´ve learned not to trust adults - so that´s the hardest challenge.