Dear, we are teachers.
I was pregnant with my first child for seven weeks and felt absolutely painful. I barely get up from my desk for most of the day, have to pee every 30 minutes, and throw garbage into the classroom more than I have calculated. I know some of these symptoms will get better, but I also know others will take their place! How should I spend the next 33 weeks?
– Teaching during pregnancy
Dear TWP,
If I could go through the screen and give you a big hug, I would.
If this pregnancy is exciting overall, congratulations. If this isn’t that exciting, I’ll bring you a lot of care. I don’t agree with the glowing goddess’s pregnancy image. While pregnancy can have many beautiful things, it can be difficult. You are growing up with someone! Your organs move and you can create a brand new organ! I just want to verify the challenge: Are pregnancy symptoms plus classrooms? a lot of.
My biggest advice is to talk to your doctor. I tried to “exercise” the horrible nausea until 18 weeks and I found out that I was underweight and I was underweight. I finally told my doctor what was going on and asked for help. I was prescribed so I could maintain a healthy weight (and when I put down my food, my fatigue increased slightly). Even if you don’t do anything, they may have other ideas to help manage symptoms. I also like Karrie Locher’s work and the first and third must-have work.
I will also start doing something I hope to do more with my new mom during pregnancy: seek help and say no if necessary.
List people you can seek help. Even if you don’t share your pregnancy with them, you can find someone who can support you because of your “ability transfer.” Then, list things that may become more difficult. Now, take a look at the challenges you can match those you can help. Can more body parts of your day become a classroom job for student management? Is there a teacher or staff who can pop up when you really have to pee or feel too nausea? Can they help you plan your course routine in downtime/reflection so you can take a break?
I also encourage you to say no to anything that is completely unnecessary or will not bring you joy. Pregnancy means your body needs a lot of energy and rest. Give yourself a rest.
Overall, when it’s tough, I’m trying to remember that this situation is temporary like all. It’s not the challenge you need to overcome, but the final situation is over. Accept it day after day, and don’t feel ashamed or afraid to seek help. Good luck, I believe in you!
Dear, we are teachers.
I’m trying to figure out how to handle the situation with colleagues who seem to trick my heart into. I am a teacher with many years of experience and I have been trying to maintain professional and friendly relationships with all my colleagues.
However, there is a new staff member who has just graduated from college and it is difficult for them to participate in an active way. She would ask me questions that were unusual in front of others, ignore me, or give short answers when I tried to participate. I tried to sign in with her to see if she was okay, and she reported me to the principal because she said I made her “uncomfortable”.
I want to solve this situation constructively without escalating tensions, but I also want to protect my well-being and work environment. How should I deal with it while maintaining my professionalism?
– Avoid embarrassment
Dear aa,
It’s hard when you’re excited to meet new people and then these atmospheres go away. Our brains want to understand what’s going on, so we sometimes start to attribute beliefs to that person in an attempt to figure out the situation. This approach is understandable – our minds are trying to fill confusing gaps, but sometimes the way we fill them is not the actual situation.
Although you may think your colleague is Passive aggression, we are not sure Why She acted in this way. In your case I will rely on experience and manage any awkward students in this way. As you mentioned, this new colleague just graduated from college. I know when I started teaching, I didn’t know how to act in the workplace. I did my best, but I thank the more experienced teachers who imitated the way professional behavior looks.
That is to say, I will not raise her again. It’s very tempting to try to find out why – we all want to be loved! – But it’s not worth the drama. Whether in her actions or in reporting to you, she makes it clear that she doesn’t want to have a relationship with you right away and it’s better to respect that. Keep a friendly distance as an invitation. Don’t do your best, be cold or unprofessional, but don’t participate.
When you need to interact with this teacher, keep the same friendly and professional manner throughout your career and call it to level 10. She asked an embarrassing question? Bathing with curiosity and kindness: “What is an interesting question. What do you think of it?” She made an unusual comment, which makes people feel uneasy? Gently ask her to explain further: “Oh, that’s an interesting point. What makes you say that?” I will also try to make sure you are present at any time you need to talk to her and keep clear documents about your interactions.
The reason I like this approach is that when I don’t think it’s worth the result, it keeps you ahead and avoids any tension. It also enables you to maintain the same friendly, professional approach over many years of experience. While you might feel like she was trying to destroy you, there is no evidence that this is the case and it is best to prove that you will not be destroyed. Stay experienced and unappreciable and model a professional look. If you want to keep your workplace as drama-free as possible, try to resist drama immediately. Hopefully she will learn through infiltration, and maybe one day, this relationship will warm up. Good luck, I believe in you!
Dear, we are teachers.
I feel like I’m breaking through. I teach middle school, and I feel exhausted by all the chatting next to me, housekeeping conversations and misconduct from small behaviors. I’m also an introvert, so I realized that I might be overstimulated at the end of the day. Why didn’t I burn completely?
– In a loud world
Dear iialw,
I can also determine more on the inward side of the spectrum. Now that I have two toddlers at home, I find that I appreciate my quiet time more and more. I absolutely ended up an overstimulating and tired day. So, I feel you!
First, we must examine our understanding of introverts and extroverts. It’s easy to get stuck in the tag. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that the concepts of “introversion” and “extroversion” are labels that do not always show nuances of the situation. Many psychologists are quick to remind us that no one is really one. This fact is important because if we label ourselves too quickly as “introverted to do _____”, then we can perpetuate the idea of actually harmful abilities. So even if you do determine to be introverted, it doesn’t mean that the classroom is not a good place for you! It has something to do with the tags, but more about how we manage our needs.
So let’s focus on that. You said side chat and housekeeper conversation were burning you. I’ll double-check routines and classroom specifications that tend to become slack in the spring. Do students need to remind you when to talk and when to have a conversation? Do they need some support to remember the specification so that you have fewer room cleaning conversations? Tightening routines may help manage some of these issues.
I will also add quiet time to your course. My student diary silently starts with each class. Although this has many teaching benefits, it also gives me a quiet moment to gather my own ideas and prepare for the classroom. I also built up moments of meditation and mindfulness so we can all regroup. I also found that I looked very quiet for the time. I set clear boundaries on when I can use students so that I can use preparation time and lunch time to quietly focus when needed.
Finally, I’m trying to make room for myself (it’s hard) at home. My husband’s shower time is only 30 minutes quiet, which has done miracles for my mental health. I try not to procrastinate with revenge, but I do try to make room so that I can descend. I don’t always get it – my two toddlers don’t get the concept of charging – but it’s a practice.
Anyway, I encourage you to keep asking questions and find ways to fill the cup so you don’t get burned. It’s not an unusual feeling, you deserve to be charged! Good luck, I believe in you!
Do you have a burning problem? Send us an email at AskWeareTeachers@weareteachers.com.
Dear, we are teachers.
I couldn’t help but notice that my male teacher in elementary school did not have to “surpass” the teacher’s duties in some way. They are never included in volunteers to help, lead group activities or organize (or contribute) Potluck. They were never hunted to join the Sunshine Club, nor would they bend backwards to the whimsical way of PTA’s mom. Should I point it out to my principal? If so, how about it?– volunteer
