Send 'smooth-sailing' sentiments to Spirit_Healer!

Hello @tyme ,

For a few years I've been blaming covid for the worsening behaviour I've seen in the classroom. But I don't know how long we can keep blaming covid. It still does vary between demographics, though.

Teacher satisfaction isn't just about the pay, I'm more significantly impacted by the working conditions. These days there's a lot more accountability and oversight. We need to prove that we're meeting professional standards for both student outcomes and wellbeing. There's a lot more admin, such as uploading lesson plans and results and behaviour incidents. And parents can reach us easier, we're just an email or phone call away. It appears that negotiations between the union and the state government are progressing well now, the planned half-day strikes have been called off.

I am working five days a week, to lunch time each day. My psychiatrist is being a bit unfair about it, she is making me choose between increasing hours and reducing meds (I have many side effects). I understand it's about mitigating risk. We made an adjustment to the timing of one med to see if my afternoon sleepiness would subside, but it hasn't helped. I see her again on Monday, we'll see what she says.

@MissGremlin @Shaz51 @NightFury @BPDSurvivor

Do you really want to reduce meds if they are working? I know you said there are side effects, but what's better?

I think I've shared in the past that I've been wanting to get off meds for a long time. But since they are working, I have a fear of changing in case things get out of hand. But yes, there are side effects.

I know your psych is making you pick between extended hours and med reduction, but do you think she is looking out for you? @Spirit_Healer

What are you thoughts on all this? Do you think you can reduce meds and then extend hours later?

Also, I think teachers deserve more. It sounds like there are just so many expectations on top of 'just teaching' which is actually more stressful than the teaching itself!

Hello @tyme ,

I was given permission to decrease my mood stabiliser by 1/8. My mood was labile yesterday morning but the medication wouldn't have dissipated in my body so quickly, so the moodiness is likely just a response to stress.

I've been dealing with a student verbally abusing me, calling me very explicit swear words and the school's behaviour management processes and hierarchy letting me down. I've been dreading going to work for two weeks because I don't want to face this student. It's been really hard.

@MissGremlin @Shaz51 @NightFury

@Spirit_Healer sending love and hugs sweet ❤️

ohhh sorry to hear this @Spirit_Healer dealing with a student verbally abusing you

it is sad that you have to go through this my friend

@Jynx

Oh no @Spirit_Healer . There are processess to escalate it further, right? It's sounds so stressful. You don't deserve to go to work and be abused. Other workplaces don't allow it, why in schools? It always makes me wonder - do they get away with it because they are minors?

I hope the school follows through with whatever they need to do so that you feel safer at your workplace.

Also, woohoo! Payrise on the horizon? I saw the news about the 28-32% rise 🙂

You totally deserve it. All teachers, nurses and emergency services workers need to be looked after.

Hello my friends @tyme @Shaz51 @MissGremlin @NightFury ,

Just an update about me:

I'm in the middle of exam correction and reporting season, it's very busy and overall I'm managing well. We start the new semester next week so there'll be more to juggle.

My body is run down with skin infections and a cold. I'm fighting it with antibiotics and skin creams.

Support from my colleagues to deal with student misbehaviour is a bit inconsistent. Sometimes they promise to do something specific and then fail to follow through.

I've had some success with getting back into piano, playing most nights. I still need to practise more to regain strength and dexterity in my fingers. 🎹

Also planning to attend a dance event in July. It's been a while. I've already picked out my outfit! 💃

hello and hugs @Spirit_Healer

thank you for your update my friend

hope your skin infections and a cold clears up soon 😍

a dance event in July sounds lovely

@tyme , @MissGremlin , @NightFury , @Nala2022

Hello @Shaz51 @MissGremlin

@NightFury @tyme

Celebrate with me: I've survived five terms of teaching since my last relapse.

Many of my colleagues were complaining about how tired they were over the last few weeks, so I know that it wasn't just me.

@Shaz51 @tyme @MissGremlin @NightFury

Celebrate with me: I've survived five terms of teaching since my last relapse.

Many of my colleagues were complaining about how tired they were over the last few weeks, so I know that it wasn't just me.

Relieved to make it to two weeks' break!!