I have shingles right now. Quite possibly that's Too Much Information for you. Sorry. If you are unfamiliar with shingles the quick explanation is that it is the chicken pox virus reawakening in your body and giving you a rash, often painful and/or itchy. Not fun. Plus, it's a virus so you feel tired, achy, and cranky.
So, that's how I've been in the classroom. Even once I started taking Advil (because my sister explained to me that chronic pain is awful and there is no reason to do that to yourself, thankfully) I was still not my best.
I found myself with absurd expectations for my students. Somehow I seemed to forget that they are six or seven years old. Then, when they didn't meet those expectations (what? you can't all sit quietly and whisper for a few minutes after working for the past hour? why not?) I would fly off the handle.
I would explain what I expected them to do and why. That's pretty reasonable and not a half bad idea. However, I would do so ad nauseum. The really pathetic part is that a voice inside of me kept saying, "They're not hearing a word you are saying. You sound like the teacher in Charlie Brown to them right now." Even then, I couldn't help myself. I kept talking at them.
I know we all have our ups and downs about everything we do. I'm hoping to swing myself back to some ups pretty quick in the classroom.
5 comments:
I feel your pain! I too had shingles last year. My doctor said they were stress related...hang in there!
Ouch! I have heard how painful it is. Should you even be teaching. Have you considered sick leave.
Hope you feel better soon.
Melissa, Stress has been suggested as a cause for me as well. I found it surprising because I didn't think I was all that stressed! How long did yours last?
Teacher Mum, I haven't had too much pain, fortunately. A few days last week of pain and advil took care of that. Others have clearly had it much, much worse than I have.
I am so sorry to hear that. I hope the rash and pain go away soon. That has to make it hard to think straight while you are teaching.
Oh noes! Geriatric chicken pox!
I have been wanting to get the shot at the pharmacy for some time, but they seem to only want the over 50 crowd. So not fair.
Take care of yourself!
Post a Comment