advice please

**michellessong** · 02-02-2005, 12:27 AM

Here's my situation:
I've been teaching since 8/00 and have loved it until my current position. I have taught mostly English as a Second Language with various ages and settings and took a position teaching a second grade classroom with all English Language Learners this year. Unfortunately, there's no differentiating English Language Learners from special education/needs children so basically I have a large special ed class (for the most part, a few are legitimately ELL's with no other apparent issues) that I'm supposed to teach English and the full second grade curriculum to. All my training and experience has been with just teaching language to students and then sending them to other teachers, now I'm trapped inside with two dozen students all day every day and am responsibile for everything they do. My principal recently called me into her office and told me that she can tell I'm working hard, but my performance as a teacher is poor. She informed me in writing that I'm in danger of being fired if I do not improve.l I've been suffering various health problems from asthma to depression since September and things only appear to be getting worse.

My question is, should I suffer through the end of June and hope I do not actually have a mental breakdown (considering my level of depression, this is not unlikely) or do I cut my losses and move on to another school? In a way I'm a first year teacher since this is my first time teaching elementary school, but I actually have taught before and enjoyed it and was considered successful. At my current school I'm not even considered satisfactory. I'm meeting with my psychiatrist on Tuesday to discuss this, but what have other teachers in the field experienced?

I'm at an inner city New York school in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn. I have worked in a similar environment before. I don't have a contract and am in my probationary period.

Virginia

**Leslie** · 02-02-2005, 12:33 AM

Get your doctor to write that you need some time off. Take a medical leave for as long as you can get it. And start looking for another job.

Taking medical leave accomplishes two purposes. First, it gets you out of there for a while. And when you go back, everytime your health starts deteriorating again, take another leave for as long as you can get it.

The second thing that accomplishes is that your principal cannot fire you because then you can say it's because of your health and that's highly illegal!!

I had severe migraines for a couple of years and my doctor was wonderful about writing a formal letter saying I needed a two or three week leave. This happened several times during those two years and I finally got a job in another county. By the way, your current employer cannot give a bad recommendation based on health issues.

Good luck

**michellessong** · 02-02-2005, 12:40 AM

I checked into medical leave and I can't do it because it's my first year in the system. That's good to know that I can't get a bad recommendation for health reasons, I can definitely get my doctor to write something supporting my need to quit. Thank you.

**The Lizard** · 02-02-2005, 02:51 AM

Have we not lost sight of the kids in all this? If the teacher isn't doing a good job, then those kids are not getting the education they deserve. These tricks with medical leave are not going to help those kids achieve.

If you think someone else can do a better job, please do the kids (and taxpayers) a favor and step aside. Your own health (and consience) will be better off.

**michellessong** · 02-02-2005, 02:05 PM

The lizard--
I asked for advice, not a lecture.

If it weren't for the kids, I would of left awhile ago. I'm sure this is a given for every teacher on this board.

There is a difference between administration believing you are doing a good job and actually being a good teacher.

These "tricks with medical leave" are how I'm trying to balance my children's needs with my own.

Don't cast stone until you have walked a mile in my shoes, lizard.

Virginia

**curiousmind** · 02-02-2005, 02:59 PM

Hi The Lizard and michellessong,

I apologize for interfering, but looks like the discussion is getting, let's say, a bit off... You know, it is so easy to misunderstand and/or misinterpret someone else's written message. It seems to be the case here. I am not in the position of taking sides in this discussion; however, I believe discussions are for finding a common point - not for hurting each other's feelings; otherwise, why would we need them? Again, I could be wrong.

Sorry for being annoying...

Lucy

**Sister Golden Hair** · 02-08-2005, 08:21 PM

Well I feel sorry for you. Teaching is a very stressful job and with medical and health problems, I bet it can be brutal. I agree with the previous poster about taking some medical leave. I would definity do that. By the way, in my area they are crying for ESL teachers. Is there any way you could move to a less stressful school?????

I hope things get better. Myabe once in a while you could throw a taco party or have the kids bring in Chinese food and just listen to music from their country. Have them dress up in kimonas and hit a pinata or something just for a break.

Sister Golden Hair

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