I’m doing the usual things but does anyone have a recommendation for a resource that helped with regulation, anchoring, fight/flight, breathing - what the employee psych is calling psychosocial first aid. I help kids through it every day but I have to help myself and I’m not very good at it. ADHD, PTSD, high stress issues at work kicking my butt.
Another dentist trip. Another cracked tooth. I already have a splint at night. Dentist said stop chewing gum all day. Or get softer gum. Has this happened to anyone else?? What can I do to take the place of gum? Gum helps with the tongue movements from the Vyvanse…but I’ve been grinding my teeth all my life. Dentist recommended Botox for my enormous massater muscles. Anyone has that?
I’m the AEU sub branch leader at my school and my career before teaching is related to policy, etc, so I’m good at that side. But the GAMES. The GASLIGHTING. The DELIBERATE hostility, passive aggressive communication or silent treatment from leadership. It’s extraordinary. The way that any discussion is seen as a threat, eliciting a defensiveness and nasty response has floored me. I’ve helped build a strong sub branch with me on this but I cannot believe the way things have gone. I’m shattered, exhausted, emotional and angry. I’m not taking it personally, because I know it’s not about me. But fuck, it certainly takes a toll. I’m desperately hoping these holidays allow me to recalibrate. I don’t know if I’m venting or hoping for understanding or advice. It’s been an horrific term. #victoria
Talking to my Principal and they said teacher stress is because people choose to give too much voluntarily. As if they have no way to impact those pressures or relieve any. Because we don’t ’clock in/out’ on the third night we can be required to stay back (stupid Victoria) they think our school is kind. Feels like weaponising how much we care and ignoring the fact that you can rarely complete all tasks within even the full 38 hours on site? My non face to face teaching time has meetings, planning, parents, clubs. I don’t like the feeling that I should be grateful about night 3 and the same in-house PD read from slides. Even nice people can be bosses that miss the mark, I guess. I’m hoping to use this next EBA to put some clearer boundaries in place - I just wondered if people felt the same? Working on not feeling guilty for never doing/giving enough when I know this intellectually - but work rewards those who say yes to everything and never question/try protecting themselves. Student need, parent need is through the roof. Trying to find Good Enough. I’m the happiest teacher at school, not as sad as I sound, but feeling torn and I feel like this should be easier.
It sounds like Victoria have been having more meetings than other states. Before the VIC principals lose their minds, I’m curious as to the content/how your state fits things in…it’s obviously possible! Can you tell me?
How many of you have had reactive responses from your school during/after the action taken for current EBA negotiations? We’ve had ‘we support you, always have’ but lots of snarky comments about union action ‘confusing things’, ‘delaying’, ruining reports…it’s still going on now. No details about Term 3 meetings schedule have been released and it can only be about waiting or the vote response…being the Bad Guys when we pay money to take action for ALL of us, the entire sector, is really pissing me off.