Dear, we are teachers.
My second year of teaching was exhausted. I thought this would help cut my workday activities, so I canceled the Barre course and book club. But now I’ve reached the point where I don’t even want to do anything on the weekends. Will the teacher get better if he is tired? Or do I need to solve this problem?
– Inadequate new teacher
Dear Ent,
I feel you. Tiredness is so real. Psychologically, one might think that the second year of teaching is easier – they have already spent their first year, the “worst” year, right? In fact, most studies show that the first five years of teaching are some of the toughest teachers. I clearly remember going home on Friday afternoon and going to bed from 4 to 8pm the next day. Alas, a few days ago, I’ve had 13 years in my career. So it’s not just you.
So you cut your workday activities to reduce fatigue. I have two questions: First, what did you delete these questions? Are you sleeping or are you replenishing more? If you cut your weekday activities to fill in more of their plans or unhealthy coping strategies (Dooms Crolling), then this may be smaller than you hope. Quickly review your actual usage time and do some pre-planning each week to make sure you set boundaries of health and take care of yourself.
However, I also want to know that if your exhaustion is no longer an actual rest, it may also be a symptom of burnout. When you take things off the plate – Barreban, Book Club – it seems like a good idea, these might be the stuff to fill your bucket.
Teaching is not only a psychological and physical exercise, but also emotionally taxed. It is important to take some time to do it so that you can bring happiness outside of the classroom so that you can consistently develop rejuvenation. I know it can be hard, but I often find that using this space to do things for myself – running, lunch with friends, reading for pleasure – makes me a better teacher, mom, wife and person. I’m going to Barre and Book Club and I’ll ask you how I feel. Will they make you feel better? If so, it might be time to bring them back. If not, find the pursuit of self that can help you feel the best.
So I do think it will get a little easier because you feel more confident in educators and learn to set boundaries. Cultivating spaces for rest and now spending meaningful time charging is an important practice that can help you thrive in a long teaching marathon. I believe in you, and I send you hope to rest and joy!
Dear, we are teachers.
Recently, we had a special event day at school. While I don’t teach this grade, the activity means that all “extra hands” are pulled to assist the activity in some way, and I end up having the students all day. I have no lunch break, no planned time, nothing. We had such a day last month and another day this week. It’s really hard for my mental health these days. Is this normal? what do I do?
– Gasp
Dear bfab,
Your desire for rest is completely understandable. Many people outside the classroom don’t understand that “enable” can be exhausting.
As for “normal”, it depends on the context. In an independent school, we have similar “full-hand” days (such as the first day of school) that are part of our teaching responsibilities. That said, they are very rare (maybe three per year), we have a lot of notifications, and we still have lunch breaks. Many teacher contracts (whether in independent or public schools) are during a lunch period, during which you cannot be asked to work.
If you are in a public school, please contact your union representative. What you describe may be a violation of the union contract in some way. If the contract is breached, the union can provide you with the best move forward. Also, if the union says this is allowed, the representative should explain this to you.
If you are not protected by unions, you will need to check the contract. Some contracts have language around “meal breaks” or “rest time” for the expectation (for example, a 30-minute meal period) when the administrator is unable to authorize the work. If your school violates your contract and you can raise this situation with your supervisor, it is worth mentioning. However, you also want to look for language about possible “mandatory activities” or “external normal working hours”. If anything, your school may be within the scope of your contract, as frustrating as that.
If you ask this question, be clear and clear in doing so. Even if necessary, it is unlikely to achieve the expected results. You can ask the question: How long will this happen? Can teachers support each other at least during lunch? Will the government be aware of this if the contract is breached and plans to mitigate this advance? Similarly, any equally frustrated teacher can work with you to create a more unified position.
If your government refuses to change and has no legal obligation to do so, or you are reluctant to mention it, you need to determine if this is the environment worth staying in. Is this a frustrating but occasional question you are willing to ignore? Or is it (understandably) that taxation is worth looking for a new school community?
Anyway, I want to drive home: You should have a break during the weekdays. Don’t let anyone convince you that your break is “part of your work.” Take good care of yourself and protect your time and peace. I believe in you, and I hope you succeed!
Dear, we are teachers.
I was frustrated with the cost of “collateral” teaching: sick. During my Thanksgiving break, my winter break was Covid-19 and bronchitis, but I still saw students coming to cough and sniff. This made me feel indignant and worried about getting sick again, which has already increased my burnout. How do I take back some self-care and manage these difficult problems?
– Work hard in spring
Dear stts,
As parents of two young children, this problem is in trouble. My kids have managed hands, feet, mouth, pink eyes, RSV and flu outbreaks in preschool and daycare. In recent decades, some news outlets have declared it the toughest winter and the worst flu season. It (“it” is *gesture*”disease”) is There. As a teacher, this usually means we get sick from multiple places (i.e., large groups of children, colleagues, etc.). I am currently overcoming an annoying cold when I write this.
First, according to the A Medical Association’s advice, if I didn’t mention the latest vaccine, I would be fired. If you don’t remember the last time you got vaccinated (or your primary care provider), this is a good time to do some preventive care. I know it’s easy not to follow up on our own health, but building a relationship with the PCP can help if/when you’re sick.
Another support is wearing a mask. You can do an exercise every day – my colleagues wearing masks notice that they will get sick less – or if you feel it’s a very high time (for example, many students are coughing/sniffing). I have a box of masks in the office to protect myself and my students. There are also some studies on shortening the duration of the disease.
As for caring for your emotional well-being, I noticed that you mentioned preexisting burnout. Taking care of yourself in other ways can make your own health, take care of your health, etc. to ensure you are not prone to illness. If you feel burned, setting expectations and setting boundaries may help you take care of yourself over the long term.
Finally, try to identify the source and what you control the source and what it is not. Being sick is so frustrating… you can only do a lot of things. I can take precautionary care of myself, but I can’t fully control whether I’m sick or not. When I get sick, I spend my sick time (you should!), giving myself a little bit of a pitiful party, and then reminding myself that worrying or persisting being angry for too long will only make me feel worse. If that’s not enough to leave the classroom (if it’s another matter), we have to learn how to take what we can control and let go of everything we can do. However, it is easier said than done, so I want to give you a lot of care. I trust you.
Do you have a burning problem? Send us an email at AskWeareTeachers@weareteachers.com.
Dear, we are teachers.
Our primary schools have a Spring Carnival every year, and every year students can vote for which teachers or administrators are eligible for “face to face pie” stalls. Students can then purchase tickets to choose the person they choose in the lottery. I was voted this year and when I told my principal that I wanted to quit, he said, “Sorry, this is “other responsibilities assigned”. I was paved. Am I a bad sport, or is it a crazy sport?
– Horror critic
