Teachers

[EvilAsh]

Anyone on here a teacher? Any tips for managing symptoms at school?

Thanks.

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi there, i am not a teacher but may I ask are you asking for yourself or someone else? Xx

Momo

[EvilAsh in reply to Dizzytwo]

Myself. I've been teaching in Primary for 14 years.

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to EvilAsh]

You must find it very difficult to say the least. Are you able to cut your hours at all? Or maybe take extended brakes. Do your employers know you have health problems? If not maybe that could be your starting place xx

[EvilAsh]

My school are immensely understanding and have been helpful already. I'm talking about shortcuts for work and how to work 'smart' to conserve my energy and limit my pain...

[deborah27 in reply to EvilAsh]

yes i'm a secondary teacher. so difficult and exhausting.

[MsAndyIvy]

Hi

I’m a headteacher who has been off for 4 months with pain. Now I am on top of it, I’ll be returning to school shortly.

My advice would be to ask for a meeting with head and tell them everything about your condition and the need for the school to make reasonable adjustments. You can also ask for an Occupational Health appointment too; they can look at your needs and suggest changes to your working routine etc.

If you are having difficulties with the school then speak to your union.

If you are looking for practical tips then I have loads to reduce teacher workload but most of them are linked to whole school changes.

I’d start by having a chair so you can sit when necessary, a wheeled one means you can scoot around the classroom without getting up. Create breaks for yourself and the children by building in mindfulness and meditation. Play calming tranquil music when children are working independently.

Remember that the children should always be working harder than you. Don’t think you have to be on the go moving round the room all the time. Sit back and ‘observe their learning behaviours’ after telling them you are looking for the child with the best growth mindset and there will be a rewards. There’s loads of canny stuff you can do in the classroom.

I’ve some good stuff on reducing teacher marking load.

Use yoga rather than normal PE sessions when you are feeling bad.

Always take your breaks, teachers are awful and doing this.

If you are feeling unwell in school let people know- TA, children, colleagues etc.

Message me if you want anymore stuff.

I can’t wait to get back but I know that I will have to change my own behaviours if I want to still work.

Xx

[EvilAsh in reply to MsAndyIvy]

Wow, this is so detailed! Thank you so much for sharing all these tips.

[smyles in reply to MsAndyIvy]

Hi, I was a learning Mentor at my school for 15 years. I have had fibromyalgia for over 20 years, plus other conditions. I always managed to control my pain, but the last four years have been very tough. We also had a new head come in and she made it blatantly obvious that I no longer fitted in. She excluded me from everything, no appraisal in four years, insisted I did every break and lunch time, I had to have my lunch at 11.30 in order to do this. It also meant she isolated me from having contact with other staff members. When none of that made me quit, she made the actual post redundant. I tried fighting it but nothing worked. Those children and parents were my life and I was devastated, so much so that I did try something I am now ashamed of. Sadly my head had no idea, nor wanted to know, what I went through on a daily basis to make sure I got to work every day. The stress of it all has caused my kidney condition to deteriorate, I am now in renal failure and I had a suspected heart attack in November. I couldn’t believe stress could do so much damage. I wish my head had fibromyalgia or had known someone with it, she may have seen what I went through.

[EvilAsh in reply to smyles]

That's so awful. Sadly, some headteachers (not all) forget that staff are human beings too and treat their schools like miniature fiefdoms. Hope things get better for you.

[stephrv in reply to MsAndyIvy]

Just wondering if you are still a headteacher? I have been acting head during pandemic and now am deciding whether to apply for substantive - recently pain has been aggravated but may be start of term stress etc - just wondering how you have managed and what advice you would give

[Hidden]

Magnesium spray is good for pain. Arnica oil also helps. I apply throughout the day. Avoid sugary, high carb snacks. Will make u more prone to crashing in the afternoon. Balancing blood sugar is vital to health. B vitamins give energy so does coenzyme q10. You could look into that stuff.

Obviously, rest helps but depends if cutting hours etc is an option for you. Good luck x

[mcglada0]

Hi . I was a primary school teacher until I retired two years ago. I loved my job and battled on. I didn’t tell anyone that I was suffering. I went home exhausted, prepared for next day ( which could take 2-3 hours ) then collapsed into bed. Friday nights I was like a zombie and crying with pain. On reflection I don’t think I did myself any favours. There comes a time when you have to weigh up what is most important- family and a slight quality of life or your job. Please don’t do what I did. Look after yourself and go part time if it is at all possible. Xx

[EvilAsh in reply to mcglada0]

I already have somewhat, as I'm now in an understanding independent school. I don't think I could have survived in my old (state) school, where I was for many years. Like you, I absolutely love my job, my pain is bad, but I can get through the week as long as I rest in the evenings and weekends. I love how caring everyone is on these boards!

[mcglada0 in reply to EvilAsh]

Take care and don’t overdo it. I agree - I was in a state school and the workload was so demanding! Be kind to yourself. Xx

[EvilAsh in reply to mcglada0]

Thank you x

[penny]

Thankfully I no longer have to do supply teaching. MsAndyIvy has some very good tips. Good luck.

[EvilAsh in reply to penny]

Indeed! Best advice I've had, doctors haven't been too forthcoming with suggestions.