Job Description Changing

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I am a teacher and whenever I have been absent this year, I have had to worry about what the parents think. I know that there is at least one parent who is pretty influential in the community who thinks I am damaging the kids. Out of 176 school days, I've been out sick for about 18. It's significant, but not too high. I have been worried that the principal will try to find ways to get me fired, but mostly she seems supportive.

Today I found out that there have been several parents requesting that their child not have me as a teacher next year. That hurts a lot. They're just taking the experience of one parent and thinking I have damaged kids. Honestly my class is doing quite well or I would be really worried myself.

The principal met with my teaching partner and I today and asked up to team teach. It means she will teach half the subjects and I will teach the other half. We will each get all of the students for half the day. The principal seems to think this will help because if I am out it will do "half as much damage" because they'd still have the stability of the other teacher. The principal also said that she knew I could make progress and the absences won't be as big of a problem.

I have worried about every single absence this year. It didn't matter if it was a sick day, a day to take care of my sick children, or a mental healthy day. Every one worried me for this reason. I'd like to moan and complain and ask why I had to have this parent's child in my class and why people can't just be supportive. The parents all know that I have been out for health reasons. I know their children's education is important and I wouldn't keep pushing through if I didn't think I was still doing good.

I kept it together all day and tried to trust that the principal is supporting me. But I am quaking inside and so very afraid. Which won't help because if it builds up, it only leads to too much anxiety. Only one and a half days left until summer vacation...I can make it. I can make it.

 

[Leanne1]

You sound like a great teacher who really cares about the kids she teaches. As a parent I bet that almost all of the parents of your students appreciates you and is great full for having you in their kids lives.

There is always a few people in every situation that will look for problems and cause a fuss.

I would assume that the principle sees whAt a great teacher you are and is trying to be supportive.

Will it be helpful to have less responsibility next school year. Could you take this time and gave it be good for you and your family?

You can always try if for a year then the next year ask to go back to a full time teacher.

It's human nature to pay more attention to the negative sometimes. Try and see how much the parents and your students appreciate you tomorrow. I'm sure they do. :)

 

[Hope4Now]

Oh, yikes, I'm so sorry. Missing work when you're a teacher is wildly stressful...I get that big time. I was a classroom teacher for 20 years, and my husband is a teacher. We used to go to school sick because it would end up making us even sicker with stress to miss classes.

I'm in awe that you are actually teaching with PTSD. I finally had to give it up about 10 years ago. I didn't know I had PTSD then, but with two young children and having to be "on" all day and then "on" for my family, I got totally fried. I was lucky to find an education position that worked a bit better for me.

People who are teachers tend to be very hard on themselves (until they burn out and blame everyone else :) ). Teaching is a profession in which one can NEVER do enough. Even if you are there every day and doing a great job being there for the kids, it often feels like you're still falling short because how can one possibly meet all the needs of so many children!!!

I hope that maybe you can reframe your thinking about what has happened. You are obviously dedicated to your work. Know that 18 absences have not "damaged" anyone. I mean, come on! Really! Far more damage is done to children by some teachers who show up in the classroom every day but don't know how to nurture children. Please don't internalize what that one person said. It sounds as if your principal knows about what's going on with you and is supportive? If that's so, then it's a gift. Maybe the half/half teaching split will help take some of the stress out of your life when you need to take days off?

It is so hard to keep perspective when things like this happen. I truly understand (I am going through an upsetting job thing right now too). Try to keep your focus on the people who are supporting you, and on your priorities for your own health and for caring for your children.

Empathy...compassion...peaceful energy coming your way!

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

@Leanne1 I will still be working full-time, just instead of keeping on class of kids all day, I will have a different group for the morning and the afternoon. Thanks for your words of encouragement.

@Hope4Now Teaching is one of the few things I can still enjoy and feel good about. It is stressful, but I can't imagine not doing it. The most stressful part is all the non-teaching aspects of the job.

My principal has had personal experience supporting a family member through PTSD. I am guessing that the person she has helped before has made gains much faster and longer lasting than me because she always asks if I am getting the right therapy and still continuing therapy. Overall she's been great because she gets it. I recently explained to her that I have complex PTSD without the label so that she could understand that I was trying to work through more than just a car accident.

I hate that one parent (maybe more, but I don't know for sure) can have so much power. It's a small town and she is really involved in the community.

I am trying hard not to spiral down because of this, so I am trying really hard to keep perspective.

 

[Recovery4Me]

((JEK))
I had been an on-line and brick& mortar adjunct instructor for 15 years at various colleges and about 5yrs. in public junior high. I worked nonstop day & evening classes until I fried. Although I received various awards throughout the years, there loomed the possibility of politics bearing down on my job security at any wind change.

As time, family and social constructs changed over the years bullying (just my honest opinion) has become more prominently displayed. I am speaking however, of the role model or of the parents. Surprisingly, many have noticed this as well by those uploads of YouTube during their children’s sports. Many a ref has been physical assaulted by aggressive parents.

So as my being both a parent as well as a teacher…please do not take to heart the public poll. We taught for the love of the student anyhow and our belief in education. You stand tall luv and know you succeeded. Someday, those students may bring to you their children beaming with pride. Those are some of the days, which I lived for.

 

[Fraser46]

I have been a similar position this year and struggling at work as a teacher. I also have a very supportive head teacher who very much cares about the health and happiness of her staff. I think the idea is actually quite good, as it will give you the opportunity to have a slightly easier year, less preparation and more time. I have been a Support for Learning Teacher this year, which I have really enjoyed but I have had to cover lots of classes when staff are off. I find this difficult as I like a routine and dont cope well with change. My HT has been great but it took my to meltdown and be off work to see that I was pushing myself too much. It it important to think about yourself, as yes the children in your class are important but if you dont think about yourself you wont be fit enough to actually teach. I am also changing roles next year to Additional Support Needs (Special Needs), where I will support individual/groups of children. This was suggested by my HT as it might be more structured and less anxious than being in front of a class of 33 children when I am having a rough day.