Being a Teacher These Days Is Exhausting
It’s hard being a teacher these days.
Especially when the weather is like this—days of heavy rain, more children getting sick, classes being disrupted, and somehow, teachers are still expected to make everything work.
A child comes to school with a cough or a runny nose. Sometimes, even with a fever. We worry. We monitor them. We make sure they are comfortable and safe while still trying to teach the rest of the class.
And when we tell parents that their child needs to go home and rest, some parents get upset with us for asking them to pick up their child.
But if we allow the child to stay and someone else gets sick, suddenly the question becomes, “Why did you let the child come to school?”
Sometimes, it feels like whatever we do, someone will be unhappy with it.
If we suspend classes, there are concerns that children are missing too much learning.
If we don't suspend classes, there are concerns that children are being made to go to school despite the rain.
And then comes, “You should have announced earlier.”
Respectfully, we are not PAGASA. 😅
We rely on official weather advisories and government agencies for guidance on weather conditions. We cannot predict when the weather will worsen, when an advisory will be issued, or what will happen a few hours from now.
And when classes are suspended, please don't assume that teachers are celebrating a day off.
More often than not, it means more work.
The lesson plan we carefully prepared may need to be changed. The visuals, instructional materials, worksheets, and other resources we spent time preparing for that specific lesson may have to be set aside or redesigned. Classroom activities have to be converted into home-based tasks. Assessments need to be rescheduled. New learning materials may need to be prepared and sent out. And through all of this, teachers still have to make sure that learning continues despite the change in modality.
And here's the part that people sometimes forget:
Teachers are also dealing with the storm.
Some teachers are also worried about flooded roads. Some are dealing with poor signal or power interruptions. Some are trying to keep their own families safe. Some are simply trying to figure out how they will get through the weather safely.
Yet, in the middle of all that, we are still expected to prepare activities, communicate with families, adjust lessons, monitor students, and make sure that learning continues.
Because yes, we care about the children.
We care about their safety.
We care about their health.
We care about their learning.
And sometimes, making the right decision means choosing between two difficult options—neither of which will make everyone happy.
So, to parents and families, we ask for a little understanding—and perhaps, a little kindness.
We don't control the weather.
We don't control when advisories are released.
We don't always get to make decisions that everyone agrees with.
But behind every announcement, every adjustment, every alternative activity, and every attempt to keep learning going, there is a teacher trying their best to do what is right for the children.
Teachers are not machines. Teachers are human, too.
We get tired. We worry. We get overwhelmed. We have families and lives outside the classroom.
And just like everyone else, we are also under the storm.
So perhaps, in these difficult days, we can give each other a little more patience, a little more understanding, and a little more kindness.
Because we're all trying to get through the storm—just in different places, carrying different things.
Be kind. We are all doing the best we can. 🌧️❤️