Send 'smooth-sailing' sentiments to Spirit_Healer!

Good evening @tyme

I will respond to your message here:

I'm a bit stressed about work. Two colleagues who are supposed to be supporting me are instead challenging me and implying that I'm not doing my job properly. I feel like I need to work extra hard, documenting that I'm ticking all the boxes, just to justify myself.

@Shaz51 @NightFury @MissGremlin

That's terrible @Spirit_Healer . It's not as though there are no other teaching jobs around. They may regret it if they get someone worse.

Have you confronted them to put everything out on the table so that you can move forward? It's hard to work with those who are continually eyeing your work to find fault. It sounds so stressful.

The whole education system needs an overhaul. Woohoo for those who are striking. I hope there will be improved conditions.

How's it going @Spirit_Healer ? I know things were pretty stressful the last time we spoke

Hello @tyme ,

My two colleagues have quietened down a bit. The difficult class challenged me a few times this week, and then were so much better when the troublemakers were absent. I find it stressful when I need to confront students about bad behaviour - I'm a person who hates conflict and confrontation. One defiant student even complained to another staff member that I was being rude and bossy - go figure!

I've been tired and 'limping' towards the Easter holidays. And my time to fall asleep is longer, although that might coincide with me starting to chat to a new potential dating partner. I realised that I need to go back to my sleep hygiene strategy of no screens for an hour before bed. So that also means less opportunity for me to interact online here as well.

@Shaz51 @NightFury @MissGremlin

Hope you're doing okay!

@Spirit_Healer sending you hugs sweet ❤️

Not that I have to remind you but...students will twist things in a way that paints themselves in a good light @Spirit_Healer so the student who complained was probably trying to twist the situation so that they're part in it was benign. Also, teenagers have a different sense or justice - that student may not see themselves as being defiant, and so perceive you trying to get them to engage and do the thing, as hassling and nagging and being bossy.

Teacher tired is a real thing! You will make it to the holidays...even if you have to limp. Not long to go now.

Thank you @MissGremlin @NightFury for your support.

@NightFury you gave me a timely reminder about teenage perspectives. What is most difficult about this student is not what she says, it's that look she gives me of 'I'm adamant that I'm not going to listen to or respect you/ you're being unreasonable and I'm not going to comply' and the number of times she responds like this is why I call her defiant. When I first met her she wasn't like this, but something about secondary school and teenage hormones has affected her behaviour for the worse. And when she interprets my response as 'bossiness', she doesn't realise that it's her refusal that requires me to stand my ground and be assertive.

My colleague said to me today that I look tired...The Easter holidays are within reach!

@tyme

@NightFury @MissGremlin @tyme @Shaz51 , celebrate with me: I made it to Easter holidays. That marks one year of being back at work after my episode. I'm still working part-time and will continue to for a while yet.

The dating partner I mentioned dumped me this week. Apparently I didn't offer him enough chemistry or banter and I have no personality: I don't know of any teacher, nor any bipolar, who doesn't have a personality! My feeling has changed from disappointment in him, to anger. I was starting to have doubts anyway, given he was looking for financial stability, yet couldn't offer it himself.

@Spirit_Healer I'm so proud of you sweetheart, you have come such a long way ❤️.

Soo proud of you @Spirit_Healer

Walking with you 🥰