Well, I’ve finished my first week of professional teaching and I must confess to being simultaneously exhilarated and exhausted; what a strange feeling that is. My exhilaration comes from finally getting the opportunity to do something I’ve dreamt about doing for a long time, working with young people helping them realize their educational aspirations. The exhaustion I feel is a result of a combination of things, mostly a lack of sleep.
I’m not sleeping well because of anxiety and what turns out to be a case of strep throat. I think the anxiety has been from a certain degree of unknown and just plain “first teaching job” nervousness. I believe I picked up the case of strep early in the week. It started to bother me Wednesday night, and Thursday night made sleeping very difficult (extremely painful). I was going to go to the Dr. on Friday, but I was needed to fill in for our sick P.E. teacher (That could be a blog in and of itself). I went to the Dr.’s office today (Saturday) and they did a throat swab and it tested positive for Strep. I was given a prescription for antibiotics and told I’d feel better in a matter of days, I can’t wait. Those who know me, know I’m a bit of a germaphobe, so I’m left wondering how I might have picked up the Strep. I wash my hands frequently, almost to the point of drying and irritation, and I keep my hands away from my mucus membranes. I used some dishes from the staff lounge, and I wonder if perhaps if that may have been a source. I know I cleaned them when I was done, but I’m not sure they are always cleaned as well as they should be. Teachers rarely have enough time to eat, let alone clean up properly when they are done. I think I may bring my own utensils to work from now on so that I can eliminate that as a possible source of infection.
When I converse with people I share freely, and I’ll let them know I’m not feeling well (much like I am now), often the relative free flow of information is reciprocated and I am given privy to information which I may not have otherwise. One staff member did tell me they had been bothered by a sore throat for about 5 days, so I’ll make sure they know that there is Strep going around and suggest they get into a doctor. I may also recommend the doctors office I found which has urgent care hours on Saturdays and only charges office visit rates (Thank you Highline Medical). When I was telling my students why I may have appeared under the weather, a student mentioned to me that she had been having similar symptoms for quite a while. When I suggested she get into the Dr.’s office she told me she hadn’t been to the Dr.’s in over two years, and “Don’t even ask me how long since I’ve seen a dentist.” Is this an issue that should be brought to the attention of social workers, or is it typical in an area which serves a significant portion of lower income families?
I learned many things this week beyond trying to become familiar with the staff and students at the school. A couple of general things like, don’t count on anything and expect the unexpected and, a few specific things like, don’t plan on doing photocopying right before a class, and plan on planning more often for shorter periods of time. My specific lessons came when I planned on copying some materials for a class prior to the class only to find the copy machine in the midst of a 500 copy run, and when I anticipated doing my lesson planning for next week on an afternoon which ended up being used filling in for a fellow staff member. I’m grateful for these lessons and I’m sure I’ll be a better teacher because of them. That’s all for now, thank you for reading, and please feel free to comment.
Getting Sick: Working at a Title 1 School
I can feel the pain in my throat just reading your blog. I ruled out the Sodexo salad offerings for teachers and certain staff treats due to acute signs of illness shortly after consumption. I also rarely use the staff dishes and utensils.
There is little question as to whether elementary teachers at Title 1 schools are exposed to more illness. When parents have to work, staying at home with a sick child is too costly and getting them to the doctor can be difficult too. Ironically, this may be hardest for the working poor. Many families may qualify for health coupons for doctor visits; but this isn't readily available for everyone, or at all for undocumented workers.
As careful as you may be, a kid will occasionally sneeze on you when you're up close for a personal chat or kids get excited and fling spit into the air. My most important health lesson from my first year -last year- was that after two weeks, I had a bacterial respiratory infection that would be treated fastest with antibiotics (according to my doctor).
Finding a good doctor who understands the challenges of being a teacher is helpful. Most doctors seem to understand. After all they also know what it's like to be on the front lines.
Thanks for sharing about your first year of elementary school education in your blog. I wish I had documented my first year of elementary education in a blog or journal too.