Rant of a sick teacher

Thank you for all your well wishes... I am feeling better. The coughing has subsided very much. I feel tired more than anything. I am grateful for not having a headache. I have been resting, either in bed, or in the recliner.

Thank goodness for Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. I've been watching his show each night this week, and have learned a lot about being the pack leader. As he trains people to lead their dogs properly, I've been thinking about my own little "pack," Max and Misty. They pretty much do what I tell them to do, with only a couple of exceptions. Misty doesn't always come home when we call to her, Max doesn't like to be groomed, and both of them jump on people to greet them.

Apparently, I'm responsible for all of these behaviors... as I can change them if I knew how. I think I picked up enough of Cesar's dog wisdom to know what I need to do to establish my leadership and change their behaviors.

I did drive to school to pick up materials and books, then came home. I repeat, I did not stay at school despite the fact that I saw four other teacher cars parked in the parking lot with the same idea I had.

(Now you may discontinue reading ... the rest is a rant, and I'll probably regret writing it by tomorrow. So please stop if you don't have the stomach for rants. I don't usually do this in my journal. But alas, I am tired.)

Yes, I need to rest, and I am resting, but I also need to be ready for school to start on Tuesday. And even if I'm not able to go to school on Tuesday, I need to plan for the substitute who would take my place. Either way, whether I'm sick or not, I have to plan for next week.

And who has to think and write the plans, and put together the necessary materials for four different grade levels? Yes, me.

And when will I get the chance to write them up? When I am well? LOL!!! No, silly, ... now! while I am still sick.

Yes, that is the dilemma teachers have to face when they get sick. Which is why we try not to get sick. That is one four letter word we are afraid of.

Whether I am sick or not, my plans have to be written up with enough detail that a stranger (the sub) could walk in and teach my lessons.

I'm curious how other teachers handle it, then. One thing we can't ever do is "call in sick." No, first we have to find a sub, then we have to make sure everything is planned and taken care of so that the sub will know what to do. Subs are not babysitters... we do not give kids worksheets to keep them busy all day... that's an old myth created by people who have never taught in the classroom.

I feel resentful about that, I do. I once had a job working as a printer. If I got sick, my goodness, I could wake up groggy and call my boss and say, "I'm not coming in today. I'm sick." And he'd say don't worry, and I didn't. And I could miss two or three days, and my job would still be there, things would have piled up while I was gone, but nothing anyone couldn't deal with. I'd get caught up when I returned, well and rested once more.

Never again.

If I called in sick, my principal would say, "Have you got a sub? Are your plans on your desk? Good, then don't worry. Get some rest and come back when you are well."

I don't have a sub (yet), and my plans have not been written because .... because I'm sick and tired?

What do other EC teachers do when they get sick? I have an assistant for one hour a day, so it's not like I can leave her with my classes all day long.

I'm just curious.