I can not stand staying home. I am on private disability and applied for Social Security (I've been turned town twice). All my teacher friends are talking about packing up their things for the summer and what grade they'll be teaching next year. I feel so left out. I truly miss teaching. Yes it is very hard on me physically - but staying home is very hard on me emotionally - no matter what I do to try to keep my mind busy - I am very lonely, very BROKE, have no insurance, no career, etc.. I have tenure - so they have to let me come back in the fall - but if I don't return - that's it. On the other hand - I am afraid I will be right back where I was - physically speaking - and end up having to bale on a classroom full of young students again - which makes me nervous about going back. The other day I said to myself - I don't care if I drop dead in the school hallway - nothing could be worse than this day after day nothingness.
Thoughts????
I hear what you are saying and your frustration with the whole dilemna. It is a dilemna isn't it? It sounds like you have to go back full time or not at all, is that true? Would part-time be an option for you?
I, too, am just in the process of taking tiny steps toward returning to work. I have (or had) my own business and so have some control over how much I work. I have the same feelings as you though in that I don't want to start up again and then have to stop again, it would be embarrassing.
I hope things work out for you. Lisa
Very tough situation. All my sympathies. Teaching is not for the faint of heart, even if their bodies are working properly. You are brave to have "come out."
I hope never to have to acknowledge my diagnosis to my employer.
Any chance to job share? Some districts in my area have allowed this, but of course there has to be another person who wants to do it.
Or see if there is apart time position in your district?
Tutoring?
Sometimes special ed has those sorts of jobs for resource rooms. I realize you may not be certified for that, but could there be a chance for conditional certification?
Another consideration, although perhaps a long shot, is to have a 504 plan. I am recalling that a teacher on this board has a 504 plan, with no outside duties. Not sure about other accommodations. Not quite sure how you could make that work, but it might be worth investigating.
best wellness,
beth
I hear you!
I worked with special needs students in the school system here in Canada.
I am on disability now and I really loved my job!
It took years before I didn't get depressed in September when the kids went back to school. What I can say is that it does get easier. I have found things to do with my life and skills, but it was a terrible transition.
I understand, too. I still am able to teach but am having a difficult time staying home for the 10 weeks that I am off. I started Zoloft anticipating the dreaded summer blues. I did set up tutoring one time a week through the summer and by the time you add in all the doctor appointments and visiting with my mom, I hope I can handle it better than last summer.
I don't know how you feel, but I would try it again or find a nice administrator to give you tutoring, homebound, monitoring computer based assessments from home or part-time to keep you sane.
Winnie :)
Hi
I agree with Winnie, get switched to tutoring, substitute, computer based - something. There are several online high schools and the teachers work from home. Computers are provided even. I know some that do this and it is teaching you can do in your PJ's even. Check out more options you may have. Also, please don't forget to volunteer some in your community if you can. Teachers are so needed and this you can control as well. Unfortunately you don't get paid. Maybe at home tutoring is a good solution too. Teachers are the greatest mentors many of our young people have. You can find a good fit. You are not stuck doing nothing! You are too important! Sending hugs!
I miss teaching too....sometimes I want to cry when I pass a school :'(.
Can you switch to a class where you get a teaching assistant. Those classes are usually smaller. I have worked with special ed and low incident special ed.
I also did work in a juvenile facility, really a lot of support, and no danger at all. You are more protected than in a public school!!! and those kids know it!!! The guards will do a "lock-down" in a heartbeat....only happened once in the one I was in. All supplies are there and students are working on GED or provided with assignments from sending district. I would have stayed there, but the county closed it.
Tutors and subs do not get any benefits. You are an independent contractor.
On the other hand, since the school district know all about meeting the needs of disable students IDEA, they would probable have to legally accommodate an employee.
Talk to an attorney. You need the benefits and insurance.
I am wondering also if you could do some tutoring. HOnestly, there are a lot of kids out there who could use a little help. I have had grandkids and kids with a tutor and it sure helps. Usually, the kids are not there forever but for help to get through some rough times.
It seems like there are certain ages and grades that learn certain components and when kids get behind the eight ball they need a tutor to catch up. I guess it sounds like it could solve some financial needs.
The big thing now is the insurance and an income. I can totally understand how you feel. When we get a career or vocation it helps define who we are. Sure describes our personality traits in other ways, doesn't it.
Hope that you can solve this issue with your school board. YOu won't know until you go back, that is what I am guessing. Maybe it will go better than it did the last time if you can get out of some of the extra curricular stuff that you usually have had to do. Good luck. WE are all thinking of you. Irish
I hear ya. What were you teaching? I had to quit teaching elementary school 18 yrs ago due to Interstitial Cystitis and what was then dxd as Fibromyalgia (was really Lyme and Babesiosis).
I still miss it and have not felt well enough to go back into a classroom since. I would love to tutor, but just haven't taken that step. Well.. in MY HEART I would love to tutor... my body would NOT. (sigh)
When I quit teaching I began making jewelry and now my pain issues are so bad, I may have to give that up as well.
I hope you can find a way to continue teaching in one way or another. It is a blessed profession.
Wow it sure seems like a lot of us here were in teaching.... is there a link?
Quote from: Piebird on May 29, 2012, 12:06:55 PM
Wow it sure seems like a lot of us here were in teaching.... is there a link?
We play well with others? ;)
Seriously though, we probably are open minded to forums and support groups. We should probably hand out flyers at the Dr., actually one does have a bulletin board...so next time I go I will post one. :)
a lot of us were/are in medicine too... :(
Would they let you go back on a part time basis?
That would not be such a drain on your energy, if your unable to go back to your last post, then try elsewhere in the profession. Good luck, Dolly
Amy,
You sound like me last year. I returned to teaching this year & I'm so glad I did. However, I did because of plaquenil, supplements, & lifestyle change. Without all of those working would have been impossible. I asked for part time or tutoring but those jobs aren't out there with the cuts to education (at least in my state/area). My superintendant was not willing to work with me. But, my doctor did write a health note for indoor duties & allow for sitting & fluids throughout my day. I have the same amount of duties as everyone else but not in the heat or cold. I also have an extra teacher chair I use in my room that my kids love because they get to share it if I'm not using it. I used it a lot the first month of school but not as much now.
I also did not make any decisions until August. I allowed myself to search other opportunities & to open to other possibilities. It was in my cards to return but if I couldn't I was going to teach PSR at church to get my "teaching fix" that I missed.
I'm not sure what your future holds but I will pray that you get answers that make you happy: physically, emotionally, & mentally.
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We play well with others? ;)
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That must be it!! ;D
Interesting observation about professions represented here.
I've worked in education all of my adult life, in several capacities. Instinctively, I have sought out situations with smaller and smaller groups of kids at one time. I am grateful to no longer be in the same classroom all day long. I do not have the physical stamina for it.
As our society (US) talks of raising the retirement age, I foresee real difficulties for those who lose their stamina but who still have to deal with boots and mittens and recess duty. Technology being added to instuctional methods seems to be leading to increased class sizes in my school district.
I have never known a superintendent to be sympathetic to a chronic illness. Even co-workers seem to view it as a sign of weakness. I was only half joking when I mentioned a 504. :D
beth
Where I taught there was a law as to elementary class size... thank goodness! Prior to that, I had 37 in my classroom once and 43 in my math class. I was a brand new teacher too! Nightmare! Now the mandated size is 22.