Essays on Being a Teacher
Over the summer I joined quite a few Facebook teacher groups. I've noticed a great influx of new teachers asking for help. I'm sure this happens every year, and I'm just noticing it because I joined so many groups. Instead of posting the same comments over and over again, I thought I would try to offer a few pointers as I get ready to begin my 20th year at my school. I won't promise anything, because this time of year is hectic, but here it goes!
# 1: A Few Thoughts on Teacher Health
I want to try to do a series of short essays; for this one I'm going to focus on the overall topic of staying healthy. In Real Talk for Real Teachers, Rafe Esquith writes, "This job can kill you." He's not wrong. You've got to take care of yourself.
If you're a new teacher and have not been in a room full of children very often, be ready to get sick. If you're not taking something to boost your immune system, I would recommend doing it, whether it's just a multivitamin or one of those fancier things that are being offered specifically for teachers. New teachers notoriously get sick. Of course, so do experienced teachers. This past spring there was a mild respiratory infection going around in Michigan and Ohio that my students and my wife’s students kept passing to each other within our classes 60 miles apart--and to us. We just couldn't shake it. I eventually got rid of it after I coughed so much I had to get prednisone for the inflammation it had caused in my bronchial tubes.
(Perhaps this is the spot to remind you about wiping down the desks periodically?)
If you are working in an older building, you've got to be especially mindful of air quality. My first year of teaching, I went to the hospital thinking I was having some sort of brain tumor. Seriously – the week before I had seen on the news that a teacher had died at another school right in the middle of class and I was sure I was next. It turned out I had an extreme sinus infection, probably from all the mold in my (since demolished) school building. I know a teacher who had a similar thing happen, but she had a black mold infection in her entire sinus cavity. Black mold. Entire sinus cavity.
Beware of rooms that have been through several remodels as well. Sometimes those changes lead to poor air circulation. We discovered that the vents in my wife's classroom had been covered with storage space. We bought a giant air filter and sent her to school with several fans I had used in my old school. Eventually, the problem was somewhat fixed.
You're going to get sick, During my first year of teaching, one of my mentors swore by TheraFlu. He kept a box in his desk, I started doing the same, That may sound silly, but I would suggest that you have a cold medication and whatever painkiller you prefer in your desk. Some day, you may need these to get through the schoolday. And don't forget the cough drops.
Of course, if you are really sick, you've got to be willing to stay home. I know--easy for me to say. Even after all these years, I have a hard time keeping things organized well enough that someone can just step in. However, with the ability to instantly share things via Google classroom and other similar set ups, it has gotten easier. I have also gone into the school to get everything ready and then gone home to rest for the remainder of the day. You're allowed to do that.
Having a teacher buddy you can count on to run copies and check on the substitute is also a good idea. You are not in this alone.
I am going to end my quick thoughts with the most important point. You need good shoes. A lot of the female teachers in the Facebook groups I belong to seem to swear by Dansko shoes. I usually wear a pair of Skechers athletic shoes in brown and black that are close enough to casual shoes that I get by. I sometimes change shoes at lunchtime as well. Do not ignore your feet!
I also have a foam pad behind my podium and in front of my SmartBoard. No, I don't stand there all day, but it gives me a nice little break when I do.
Well that's it for now. I've managed to write/ dictate this while my wife and sons were visiting the neighbors, and I just heard giggling and "Go get daddy!" This reminds me that future essays on mental health and life balance would be a good idea. Let me know if you have any other health topics for new teachers or if there something you'd like me to discuss in a later essay. Thanks!
# 1: A Few Thoughts on Teacher Health
I want to try to do a series of short essays; for this one I'm going to focus on the overall topic of staying healthy. In Real Talk for Real Teachers, Rafe Esquith writes, "This job can kill you." He's not wrong. You've got to take care of yourself.
If you're a new teacher and have not been in a room full of children very often, be ready to get sick. If you're not taking something to boost your immune system, I would recommend doing it, whether it's just a multivitamin or one of those fancier things that are being offered specifically for teachers. New teachers notoriously get sick. Of course, so do experienced teachers. This past spring there was a mild respiratory infection going around in Michigan and Ohio that my students and my wife’s students kept passing to each other within our classes 60 miles apart--and to us. We just couldn't shake it. I eventually got rid of it after I coughed so much I had to get prednisone for the inflammation it had caused in my bronchial tubes.
(Perhaps this is the spot to remind you about wiping down the desks periodically?)
If you are working in an older building, you've got to be especially mindful of air quality. My first year of teaching, I went to the hospital thinking I was having some sort of brain tumor. Seriously – the week before I had seen on the news that a teacher had died at another school right in the middle of class and I was sure I was next. It turned out I had an extreme sinus infection, probably from all the mold in my (since demolished) school building. I know a teacher who had a similar thing happen, but she had a black mold infection in her entire sinus cavity. Black mold. Entire sinus cavity.
Beware of rooms that have been through several remodels as well. Sometimes those changes lead to poor air circulation. We discovered that the vents in my wife's classroom had been covered with storage space. We bought a giant air filter and sent her to school with several fans I had used in my old school. Eventually, the problem was somewhat fixed.
You're going to get sick, During my first year of teaching, one of my mentors swore by TheraFlu. He kept a box in his desk, I started doing the same, That may sound silly, but I would suggest that you have a cold medication and whatever painkiller you prefer in your desk. Some day, you may need these to get through the schoolday. And don't forget the cough drops.
Of course, if you are really sick, you've got to be willing to stay home. I know--easy for me to say. Even after all these years, I have a hard time keeping things organized well enough that someone can just step in. However, with the ability to instantly share things via Google classroom and other similar set ups, it has gotten easier. I have also gone into the school to get everything ready and then gone home to rest for the remainder of the day. You're allowed to do that.
Having a teacher buddy you can count on to run copies and check on the substitute is also a good idea. You are not in this alone.
I am going to end my quick thoughts with the most important point. You need good shoes. A lot of the female teachers in the Facebook groups I belong to seem to swear by Dansko shoes. I usually wear a pair of Skechers athletic shoes in brown and black that are close enough to casual shoes that I get by. I sometimes change shoes at lunchtime as well. Do not ignore your feet!
I also have a foam pad behind my podium and in front of my SmartBoard. No, I don't stand there all day, but it gives me a nice little break when I do.
Well that's it for now. I've managed to write/ dictate this while my wife and sons were visiting the neighbors, and I just heard giggling and "Go get daddy!" This reminds me that future essays on mental health and life balance would be a good idea. Let me know if you have any other health topics for new teachers or if there something you'd like me to discuss in a later essay. Thanks!