Posted by Cathy (24.95.189.21) on September 27, 1999 at 20:23:32:
In Reply to: Work Hurts posted by david Boughton on September 27, 1999 at 11:01:35:
David:
I have taught for 12 years. I guess my first question would be what grade / level / subject you are teaching. Your reaction to the ch you get at work, if any, would greatly depend on those answers. I teach Resource (learning disabled students primarily) to jr and sr high students. They all know of my ch as well as my migraines. I have told them of how I take care of them and have also informed most of the parents. I only had one ch at school my last cycle. I started crying in front of the students and asked my co-teacher to take over. (I am fortunate, in some respects, to teach in a classroom with another teacher) He watched my students while I grabbed my Imitrex and went to the nurse's office. She helped me and the ch was gone in about 5 minutes. The Administrative Asst. was in the nurse's office within minutes. All the administrators new of my ch, as did many of the teachers, whom I had chosen to "educate". Also, the secretaries,as well as the nurse, knew. I explained the "process" I would go thru, how I would act, etc. They were all very supportive. When the ch was over, I went back to class. Because it was almost the end of the day, I elected to go home. This is mainly due to ch's wear me out, even if just for 5 minutes. If it had been earlier, I probably wouldn't have.
I guess in a nutshell, this is what I would do:
1. Inform adminstration
2. Inform secretaries, nurses, other para-professionals
3. Have a plan----if you get a ch, what do you need to do? If you need to leave to take a shot, who can come quick and cover for you? Do you team-teach and can that person take over for you for 10 minutes? Do you supervise a teaching assistant who can cover for you?
4. Have Imitrex injections with you at all times.
5. Explain to the students(if old enough to understand) what you are dealing with. It is better to explain to them ahead of time and inform them than to have to explain after the fact. With younger students.....I'd have to think about that. Haven't taught anyone younger than 7th gr.
E-mail me if I can be of any further help. I know the questions you must have....
Cathy